Joe Rogan has laid claim that he knows what the UFC has in mind for Islam Makhachev. It seemingly goes against the wishes of MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The reigning UFC Lightweight Champion has long trained under Nurmagomedov, who is also his close friend and longtime training partner. The two Dagestani fighters grew up together in Russia. Meanwhile, UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad started training with them recently.
Joe Rogan and Ilia Topuria Foresee Islam Makhachev Fighting Belal Muhammad
Joe Rogan recently hosted former UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria on his podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience.” On episode #166 of the “JRE MMA Show,” Topuria questioned Rogan whether the UFC had told him something about what’s next for him.
Rogan responded by implying that the UFC was interested in booking Makhachev to fight Muhammad.
“Maybe. A little bit. If he [UFC CEO Dana White] did, I can’t tell you. I did ask who you were gonna fight. And they said, ‘We’re working on things.’ But he was actually specifically talking about what happens if Belal [Muhammad] wins,” Rogan said.
“You know, because Islam [Makhachev] and Belal, they’ve been talking about Islam fighting Belal … I would like that to happen if Belal wins. But that’s an if. Jack Della Maddalena is a bad mother***ker. He’s good. That guy is good.”
Topuria then indicated that even if Maddalena beats Muhammad, the UFC would book Muhammad against Islam Makhachev. Rogan thought otherwise.
“Well, if Jack Della Maddalena wins, then Jack is the new welterweight champion. And then, you know, maybe he fights Islam. That makes a lot of sense. The problem with Islam fighting Belal is that they train together.”
Topuria alluded that there have been many instances of training partners subsequently fighting one another. Rogan concurred and asserted that he believed Makhachev and Muhammad should fight each other, while pointing out that Nurmagomedov would disapprove of that:
“Oh. I agree. I mean, I think they should fight. I definitely think they should fight. I think Khabib doesn’t like that idea … Yeah. That’s how I feel.”
Watch Rogan and Topuria discuss the topic below:
Khabib Nurmagomedov has repeatedly suggested that he doesn’t want Makhachev to fight Muhammad as the latter trains with them.
Speaking to Adam Zubayraev recently, Nurmagomedov reiterated it. ‘The Eagle’ signaled that Makhachev wanted the welterweight title but likely wouldn’t fight for it till Muhammad was champion:
“He [Belal Muhammad] is a close friend to us. That’s why we cannot put relationships over titles.”
Many fans and experts have speculated that Makhachev wants to move up to welterweight and fight for the belt regardless of who the champion is, but is being restricted by Nurmagomedov. The UFC is yet to speak on the matter officially.