Islam Makhachev made his triumphant return to Dagestan over the weekend after defending his lightweight title for a record-setting fourth consecutive time in Los Angeles last weekend.
It was a busy time for Makhachev. As part of Team Nurmagomedov, he also helped prepare Umar Nurmagomedov and Usman Nurmagomedov for their title fights at UFC 311 and PFL: Road To Dubai respectively. He spoke for them to the press and fans in attendance awaiting his homecoming.
“We’re happy that we retained our belts, Usman and I,” Islam said (via Ushatayka). “Unfortunately, Umar Nurmagomedov didn’t manage to get a new belt for Dagestan this time, but it’s coming. Both from Umar and from [Magomed] Ankalaev. The whole world knows Dagestan as the land of fighting and wrestling now.”
As for what’s next, Makhachev said he’d like to fight in July or sooner and implied his days at lightweight were numbered.
“I don’t see a lot of work to do in my division,” he said. “I beat almost everyone. I think about moving up to 170, and I can stay there.”
The big hold-up there is his friend Belal Muhammad holding the welterweight title. Muhammad will fight Shavkat Rakhmonov in the coming months, and while Makhachev didn’t say it, it’s clear the belt changing hands would clear a path to a second division run.
“I don’t want to make any statements, we will see how the fight goes,” Makhachev said. “I have not spoken to the UFC since my last fight. We need to sit and talk.”
Another fight that Makhachev will watch closely is Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker at UFC 313 in March. He made it clear that he was interested in fighting Gaethje.
“I like this idea because I haven’t fought Justin yet,” he said. “I’ve already fought [Oliveira and Tsarukyan], and preparing for the same opponent is not such a big motivation. But if Gaethje shows himself well in the next fight, we can meet.”
