Tag: UFC 308

Coach backs Islam Makhachev to make huge middleweight move: ‘He’s that good’

Coach backs Islam Makhachev to make huge middleweight move: 'He's that good'Forever staking his claim for a move to the welterweight limit prior to his friend, Belal Muhammad’s title coronation…

Coach backs Islam Makhachev to make huge middleweight move: 'He's that good'

Forever staking his claim for a move to the welterweight limit prior to his friend, Belal Muhammad’s title coronation at UFC 304 earlier this month, lightweight best, Islam Makhachev has now been backed to excel as high as middleweight, per his coach, Javier Mendez.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 302 back in May, successfully defending his crown for a third time in a fifth round D’Arce choke submission win against former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier.

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And expected to return at UFC 308 in October in Abu Dhabi, Makhachev has been ruled from the event amid an arm injury, which may require a surgical procedure to address – postponing an targeted rematch with number one contender, Arman Tsarukyan.

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Instead booked to headline the Etihad Arena card – undisputed featherweight kingpin, Ilia Topuria draws the former champion, Max Holloway in a title grudge fight in the Middle East.

Islam Makhachev tipped to make middleweight leap

And while calling for a title fight with Leon Edwards ahead of UFC 304, Islam Makhachev has since cooled talk of a leap to 170lbs after his close friend, Muhammad lifted the crown in Manchester – and instead, has been tipped to succeed at middleweight in a huge two-division leap.

Islam Makhachev turns down fight with Michael Chandler you are unreliable dude

“That’s a good reason to fight Arman (Tsarukyan) or anybody else any you get the most defenses in the lightweight history,” Javier Mendez told Red Corner MMA. “I can’t believe three is the record. That’s just amazing how it turns over. So many fighters have won titles there but they never kept it more than three title defenses so Islam (Makhachev) will break the record and I want to see him go down as one of the greatest of all time.”

“And I believe he’s on track to do that,” Mendez explained. “So, him defending that lightweight title is on track for that. Then after that let’s see what happens – maybe Islam gains weight and goes [to] 185 [pounds]. I mean, he’d have to gain weight, obviously, because that’s a little big for him. You never know. He’s that good. Pound-for-pound number one for a reason.”

Do you think Islam Makhachev could excel at middleweight?

Grappling Showdown: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Luke Rockhold at UFC Gym – Video

Grappling Showdown: Khamzat Chimaev vs Luke Rockhold at UFC Gym VideoPreparing for his return to the Octagon later this year in a rescheduled showdown with former champion, Robert Whittaker,…

Grappling Showdown: Khamzat Chimaev vs Luke Rockhold at UFC Gym Video

Preparing for his return to the Octagon later this year in a rescheduled showdown with former champion, Robert Whittaker, unbeaten middleweight star, Khamzat Chimaev employed the help of another former division pacesetter in the form of Luke Rockhold – grappling with the Californian to prepare for UFC 308.

Chimaev, who currently holds the number eleven ranked middleweight rank, has been sidelined from action since last October, landing a close and controversial majority decision win over former welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked, Kamaru Usman.

Khamzat Chimaev calls for UFC 308 return I would like to fight for the title

And forced from a June return against the above-mentioned, Whittaker in a UFC Saudi Arabia premiere for the organization, Chimaev withdrew from the headliner with the ex-champion, due to a reported “violent” illness.

However, last week, the Chechen-born star was booked once more to take on Whittaker – upon request from the latter apparently, in the form of a UFC 308 co-main event fight in Abu Dhabi, over the course of five rounds.

Khamzat Chimaev reveals violent illness which ruled him from UFC Saudi Arabia I had headaches

Khamzat Chimaev rolls with Luke Rockhold in grappling showdown

And already beginning camp for his final quarter comeback to the Octagon, Khamzat Chimaev looks to have linked up with former undisputed UFC and Strikeforce middleweight kingpin, Rockhold – scrambling and grappling with the Santa Cruz veteran on the mats of a UFC Gym.

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For Rockhold, the former UFC middleweight champion called time on his mixed martial arts career following a decision loss to former title challenger, Paulo Costa back in 2022, ending his career in the midst of a three-fight losing run.

However, last time out, Rockhold laid waste to fellow striking star, Joe Schilling in a Karate Combat headliner back in April in the United Arab Emirates, scoring a third round knockout win over his compatriot. 

Luke Rockhold blasts Sean Strickland after sparring offer he's a fake I will step on this kid

Struggling for activity in the last two years amid injury and illness, Chimaev had scored two impressive wins over both Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland two years ago before his win over Usman, in what appears to have marked his final walk at the welterweight limit following a weight-miss blunder.

Do you think Khamzat Chimaev can beat Robert Whittaker at UFC 308?

Betting Favorite: Khamzat Chimaev Pulls out of UFC 308

Betting Favorite: Khamzat Chimaev Pulls out of UFC 308Khamzat Chimaev has proven himself so unreliable that sportsbooks are offering bets on whether or not he’ll pull out…

Betting Favorite: Khamzat Chimaev Pulls out of UFC 308

Khamzat Chimaev has proven himself so unreliable that sportsbooks are offering bets on whether or not he’ll pull out of his UFC 308 return.

Recently, the promotion announced a few big matchups for its return to Abu Dhabi this fall, including a featherweight title clash as Ilia Topuria puts his belt on the line for the first time against ex-champion and reigning BMF titleholder Max Holloway.

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Also announced was a rebooked battle between Chimaev and former middleweight king Robert Whittaker. The two were originally scheduled to headline UFC’s big debut in Saudi Arabia this summer, but ‘Borz’ backed out of the bout after becoming “violently ill” with an undisclosed illness.

Whittaker went on to smash his way through Ikram Aliskerov at Kingdom Arena, earning a first-round KO and snapping the Russian’s seven-fight unbeaten streak.

Robert Whittaker

Oddsmakers are not convinced Khamzat Chimaev will show up in Abu Dhabi

Ever since he stormed into the UFC by earning three wins in the span of eight weeks, Chimaev has seen his activity drop significantly, averaging barely one fight per year since 2020. Additionally, the undefeated Chechen has had several fights canceled, including three different matchups with Leon Edwards, a headliner with Nate Diaz, a heavily marketed clash with Paulo Costa, and of course, his meeting with ‘The Reaper’ in Riyadh.

All, but two of those withdraws were initiated by Chimaev.

Khamzat Chimaev

As a result, BetOnline.ag is offering a prop play that allows bettors to wager on whether or not Chimaev’s UFC 308 scrap with Whittaker will actually happen. ‘No’ is currently favored, sitting at -140 odds while ‘Yes’ is listed as an even +100.

Check out odds for some of the big fights going down at Etihad Arena in October below:

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Conor McGregor vetos Michael Chandler fight, calls for Max Holloway at UFC 310

Conor McGregor vetos Michael Chandler fight, calls for Max Holloway at UFC 310Amid continued links to a UFC 310 rescheduled pairing with Michael Chandler, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor appears to…

Conor McGregor vetos Michael Chandler fight, calls for Max Holloway at UFC 310

Amid continued links to a UFC 310 rescheduled pairing with Michael Chandler, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor appears to have changed his mind on the pairing – instead offering to fight BMF champion, Max Holloway in December – who is already booked to headline UFC 308.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight champion and featherweight gold holder, was scheduled to return from a three-year sidelining at UFC 303 at the end of June, taking on Chandler at the welterweight limit.

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However, in the weeks ahead of his return, Dublin striker, McGregor confirmed he had suffered a fractured toe, and would be sidelined further.

Conor McGregor calls for Max Holloway fight at UFC 310

Expected to headline UFC 310 at the end of December in the promotion’s final flagship event of the annum, McGregor engaged in another spat with the previously noted, Chandler overnight on social media platform X – after the Bellator MMA alum appeared to call a halt to a pairing.

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“Nevermind guys… I think it’s time I finally admit the fight is off,” Michael Chandler posted on his official X account. “He’s (Conor McGregor) still in stage 2 of the 7 of grief pertaining to his career being over. Figured he’d be closer to 5 by now. Godspeed @TheNotoriousMMA” 

“? lol ok lil bro,” Conor McGregor replied. “Swapped out handy. @BlessedMMA what are you at December? The real BMF, you know.”

For Holloway, the Hawaiian made a lightweight return at UFC 300 in April, landing the symbolic BMF championship with a stunning, buzzer-beating knockout win over Justin Gaethje in a memorable stoppage win.

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Booked earlier this week to headline UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, Holloway takes on unbeaten featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria in a championship charge at his former stomping ground.

McGregor first took on Holloway back in 2013 during his tenure at the featherweight limit, the Dublin counter striker landed a unanimous decision win over the Hawaiian in his sophomore Octagon outing.

Would you like to see Conor McGregor fight Max Holloway in a rematch?

Magomed Ankalaev misses out on title fight, meets Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308

Magomed Ankalaev misses title fight, meets Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308Former vacant light heavyweight title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev has missed out on his next charge to the divisional crown…

Magomed Ankalaev misses title fight, meets Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308

Former vacant light heavyweight title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev has missed out on his next charge to the divisional crown in a grudge fight with Alex Pereira – instead booking a title-eliminator against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 in October.

Ankalaev, the current number two ranked light heavyweight challenger, was widely linked with a title grudge matchup against incumbent Brazilian star, Pereira later this annum – following a prior knockout win over compatriot, Johnny Walker back in January in the pair’s main event rematch.

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As for Rakic, the Serbian-born contender has been out of action since he featured at UFC 300 back in April, taking on former undisputed champion, Jiri Prochazka. Suffering his second consecutive loss, perennial contender, Rakic was stopped in a stunning second round rallying knockout.

Magomed Ankalaev takes on Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308

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News of Magomed Ankalaev’s matchup with Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 was confirmed by UFC CEO, Dana White on social media this evening.”

“#UFC306 October 26th from Fight Island, Abu Dhabi,” White posted.

Unbeaten in his last twelve consecutive Octagon appearances following a buzzer-beating submission loss to Paul Craig in his UFC debut, before his official ‘No Contest’ against Walker last October, Ankalaev competed for the vacant light heavyweight throne opposite former champion, Jan Blachowicz.

Headlining UFC 282 at the end of 2022 against his fellow European star, Ankalaev fought to a split draw over the course of five rounds.

Rakic

UFC 308 takes place on October 26. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE – with an undisputed featherweight championship fight between Ilia Topuria, and Max Holloway set to headline the event.

In the night’s co-headliner, former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker takes on the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev in a rescheduled pairing.

Who wins at UFC 308: Magomed Ankalaev or Aleksandar Rakic?

Khamzat Chimaev set to return in rebooked fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC 308

Khamzat Chimaev set to return in rebooked fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC 308Following his cancelled return to action in June, unbeaten middleweight challenger, Khamzat Chimaev is now booked to make his…

Khamzat Chimaev set to return in rebooked fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC 308

Following his cancelled return to action in June, unbeaten middleweight challenger, Khamzat Chimaev is now booked to make his latest comeback to the Octagon, taking on former champion, Robert Whittaker over the course of five rounds at UFC 308 in October.

Chimaev, the current number eleven ranked divisional contender, has been sidelined since he made his return at UFC 294 last October in Abu Dhabi, landing a controversial majority decision win over former undisputed champion, Kamaru Usman in a short-notice pairing.

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As for Whittaker, the former gold holder headlined UFC Saudi Arabia back in June – following a failed matchup with Chimaev, taking out common-foe, Ikram Aliskerov with a stunning opening round knockout win in Riyadh.

Robert Whittaker rebooks Khamzat Chimaev fight for UFC 308

News of Khamzat Chimaev’s comeback against Robert Whittaker in a rescheduled pairing at the Etihad Arena was confirmed by UFC CEO, Dana White on his official X account today.

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“#UFC308 October 26th. from Fight Island, Abu Dhabi,” White posted this evening. 

Making lightwork of Aliskerov back in June in the promotion’s first trip to Saudi Arabia, ex-champion, Whittaker landed a prior decision win over former title challenger, Paulo Costa in the co-main event of UFC 298 back in February of this year in Anaheim, California. 

Before his victory against Usman in his sole appearance of last year, Chechen-born challenger, Chimaev had turned in a quickfire D’Arce choke win over Kevin Holland, after a prior decision win over former welterweight title challenger, Gilbert Burns.

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UFC 308 takes place on October 26. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE – with an undisputed featherweight title fight between Ilia Topuria, and Max Holloway scheduled to take main event honors. 

Who wins at UFC 308: Robert Whittaker or Khamzat Chimaev?