UFC Has 'Completely Different Plan' For Islam
01/20/2025 08:03 AM
According to Islam's manager, UFC's plans for its Lightweight champion don't involve the three names everyone expects him to fight next.
It wasn't the hardest night of work for Islam Makhachev, but the Dagestani Lightweight champion can leave Los Angeles, Calif., knowing he made Dana White and Co. very happy by staying on UFC 311 after his original opponent, Arman Tsarukyan, withdrew from the contest just 36 hours ahead of showtime (details here).
Makhachev would end up facing No. 10-ranked Renato Moicano in a fight that lasted less than one round. Makhachev was clearly levels above his last-minute opponent on the ground, where he submitted "Money" with a slick D'arce choke (watch the finish here).
The obvious question now is what's next for Makhachev, who has now defended his 155-pound belt a record-setting four consecutive times? White made it clear it won't be Tsarukyan. Charles Oliveira was sitting cageside and declared himself the No. 1 contender. And then there's Ilia Topuria, who is already campaigning to move up and challenge Makhachev for "double champ" status.
The UFC has a completely different plan for Islam which doesn't include Oliveira, Arman or Ilias. But it's an unpredictable sport and you don't know what could happen.
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) January 20, 2025
According to Makahchev's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, it won't be any of those names.
"UFC has a completely different plan for Islam, which doesn't include Oliveira, Arman or Ilia," Abdelaziz wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
That's a fascinating tease, because there's no way Makhachev is agreeing to fight for the Welterweight title so long as his friend and teammate, Belal Muhammad, is holding it. In an alternate dimension where he hadn't fallen off the rails, Conor McGregor would be a massive fight. But, the guy can't even keep himself out of court let alone get himself into a cage.
Abdelaziz didn't elaborate on UFC's plan, but did offer two potential backup fighters ... both of which happen to be on his roster of represented athletes.
The final boss Hasbulla has arrived to LA from Dagestan to support Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov and Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC 311.
— PAM (@ParamPam1990) January 17, 2025
And apparently Hasbik and Ali Abdelaziz do not like each other. pic.twitter.com/X65CpYvQo5
"But, it's an unpredictable sport and you don't know what could happen," he wrote. "If Justin Gaethje beats Hooker he can be easily next. If Beneil Dariush beats Poirier he can also be next. These would be 2 new names that Islam hasn't fought yet."
Looking past the names offered, Ali makes an important point: there's UFC's plans, and then there's the reality of UFC's schedule. The promotion has several events over the calendar year that it is looking to fill. And when it comes down to "the right fight" vs. "the right now fight," UFC will settle for whatever it can cobble together to keep laying tracks in front of the train.
We don't doubt UFC has an interesting special option for Makhachev in the works. But, when half its headliners get injured and International Fight Week approaches, we expect Makhachev will get a call.
And everyone ready to fight on schedule will be considered.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 311: "Makhachev vs. Moicano" news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For complete UFC 311 results, highlights, and live play-by-play, click HERE.
