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Islam Makhachev's manager has an update about Makhachev's welterweight debut, which will be against newly minted UFC welterweight kingpin Jack Della Maddalena.
The Russian phenom vacated his UFC lightweight gold earlier this year after his friend and training partner, Belal Muhammad, was dethroned by Della Maddalena at UFC 315. Makhachev's move up was questioned by many in the MMA community, who also accused him of ducking Ilia Topuria.
Now, Ali Abdelaziz has confirmed that Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev will happen in 2025. In an interview with Submission Radio, Abdelaziz shared a timeline update. He said:
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"Whatever doesn't matter. October, November, December, but it's gonna be this year. 100%. I just talked to Islam. He just called me. He is on his way to the gym. He is training two times a day. He is getting ready."
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Abdelaziz further confirmed that the fight will happen in the next 3-4 months.
"I know 'JDM' is getting ready, and you're going to get two high-level athletes competing in the next 3-4 months."
Check out Ali Abdelaziz's comments about Islam Makhachev below (20:34):
Islam Makhachev's manager reveals shocking news about Justin Gaethje's UFC future
In the aforementioned interview with Submission Radio, Islam Makhachev's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who also manages Justin Gaethje, stated that Gaethje wants to fight for the 155-pound championship next, which will be up for grabs at UFC 317 later this month when Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria clash.
Abdelaziz believes the UFC will allow Gaethje to fight the soon-to-be minted new UFC lightweight champion. 'The Highlight' has, however, disclosed that he will retire if the UFC doesn't grant him a title shot next. Abdelaziz said:
"Justin Gaethje fights the winner [of Oliveira vs. Topuria]... The guy did so much for the sport... He [Justin] said, 'If I'm not going to fight for the title, I'm just gonna hang up my gloves.'"
He added:
"At the end of the day, I think they [UFC] love him. I think they'll give him what he wanted, but at the end of the day, we have to see what happens first between Charles and Ilia." [21:18]
