Ali Abdelaziz Drops Big Update on Islam Makhachev’s Summer Return
Islam Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has given an update on when Makhachev will return to make the first defense of his UFC welterweight championship.
News surfaced earlier this month that the Russian fighter has suffered a hand injury, which might delay his return. However, Makhachev most recently uploaded a training clip, informing fans that his hand has recovered.
Abdelaziz has now confirmed that the pound-for-pound king will face a top welterweight contender in July, with an official announcement coming soon. During an interview with TMZ Sports, he said:
“Islam got offered a different fight at welterweight to be the main event, and Islam said, Hey, let’s do this in July due to a hand injury.”
The MMA manager also added during the same interview that, previously, if Makhachev had been offered a fight against lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, he would have been willing to take it regardless of any injuries.
“If this Ilia fight was offered in June, Islam would accept even if he has one leg. But Islam already has a fight in the summer against the No.1 contender; it’s a done deal, and the UFC will announce it very soon.”
Ali Abdelaziz’s comments suggest that Islam Makhachev will defend his title against the No. 2-ranked 170-pound contender, Ian Machado Garry, in July on the International Fight Week Card.
Ali Abdelaziz on potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria bout
Ali Abdelaziz also revealed during the same sit-down that a superfight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria should happen this year. According to the MMA manager, the UFC brass contacted him for a potential Makhachev vs. Topuria bout for June 14, but the negotiations shut down even before it reached Makhachev:
“I was called about Ilia to fight Islam. It was the middle of the day, Islam was sleeping, and I was excited about the fight. After that, I got called back saying never mind, this fight is not gonna happen, before I even talked with Islam.”
Abdelaziz added that if “El Matador” moves up to fight Islam Makhachev, the Georgian-Spaniard would have to vacate his UFC lightweight championship, and, secondly, both fighters can demand a massive payday for this fight, given that it could go down as one of the biggest fights the UFC has seen in years.
“Does Ilia really want it? If he wants it, two things are gonna happen: he has to vacate his lightweight title. I can say certain kinds of numbers to turn the UFC off.”
