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This Morning’s MMA News In Short: Makhachev expected to defend his title in January

Published

October 1, 2024

Islam Makhachev Khabib Rafael dos Anjos UFC MMA Frontkick Online

Islam Makhachev Khabib MMA News Frontkick Online

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. Photo: USA Today Sports

Get updated with the latest MMA news from the world of combat sports on Frontkick. We will provide the morning’s MMA news in short!

Makhachev expected to defend title in January

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev appears ready to return early next year. That’s according to friend and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“UFC offered us a fight already, in January. We accepted it,” Nurmagomedov revealed during an appearance in Indonesia a few days back.

The challenger was not named, however, No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan is likely to be next in line for a title shot.

Peña: Going to Utah early to is unnecessary

Many are the fighters who gass out at the high altitude of Salt Lake City in Utah.

Bantamweight title challenger Julianna Peña, however, doesn’t seem to believe training at high altitude will help her chances of getting her hands on the belt at Saturday’s UFC 307..

“I have fought in Utah before. I have fought in Denver before,” Peña said.

“I’ll have the whole week to acclimate, and if you’re in shape, you’re in shape, and you have done your work and done your job, then that’s the confidence you need.”

Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov are building up for a fight

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and contender Umar Nurmagomedov are escalating their verbal duel ahead of a possible upcoming clash.

“I smacked Petr Yan’s a** like a b****,” Dvalishvili wrote. “I carried Henry Cejudo like a baby, I kissed Sean O’Malley like his daddy BUT I will simply smash Umar if the UFC puts him in front of me next.”

Nurmagomedov did not wait long to give an answer.

“There is no if. There is only one contender and that is me. you became champion only because you did not accept a fight with me twice before. For the same reason there are no fighters from the top 10 in my list of fights, you and those like you did not accept a fight with me,” Nurmagomedov replied.