{"id":121287,"date":"2026-05-02T11:27:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T14:27:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/ufc-champ-islam-makhachev-claims-hes-accepted-opponent-in-massive-next-fight-update\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T11:27:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T14:27:40","slug":"ufc-champ-islam-makhachev-claims-hes-accepted-opponent-in-massive-next-fight-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/ufc-champ-islam-makhachev-claims-hes-accepted-opponent-in-massive-next-fight-update\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Champ Islam Makhachev Claims He’s Accepted Opponent in Massive Next Fight Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

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UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev claims that he\u2019s officially started preparations for his next fight. <\/p>\n

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Currently the top pound-for-pound male fighter in the UFC, Makhachev joined the short list of fighters that have won UFC belts in two weight classes last year when he dominated Jack Della Maddalena to claim the welterweight strap<\/a> at UFC 322.<\/p>\n

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Fans have been clamoring for an update on when the former lightweight king will return to the cage to defend his new title, and the latest update from UFC CEO Dana White<\/a> was that the plan is to have Makhachev fight in August. <\/p>\n

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Islam Makhachev “Preparing” for Next UFC Opponent<\/h2>\n

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Ariel Helwani made headlines this week with claims about targeted fights for both Makhachev and Conor McGregor<\/a>, and now Makhachev himself says that he has an opponent lined up and has verbally agreed to the matchup. <\/p>\n

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Islam Makhachev (blue gloves) celebrates after defeating Jack Della Maddalena (not pictured) by unanimous decision in the welterweight championship bout during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden. | Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

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\u201cThe opponent is known verbally, but there are no confirmed agreements or signed contracts at the moment,\u201d Makhachev told Ushatayka<\/a> (h\/t Championship Rounds<\/a>). \u201cBut I have already started my basic stage of preparation.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"Islam<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n

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Islam Makhachev (blue gloves) fights Jack Della Maddalena (red gloves) in the welterweight championship bout during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden. | Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

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According to both Helwani and \u00c1lvaro Colmenero, the UFC is hoping to have Islam Makhachev defend his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry<\/a> at UFC 330, which will see the promotion make its long-awaited return to Philadelphia, PA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Ian Machado Garry Has Been Actively Calling for UFC Title Shot<\/h2>\n

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Currently sitting at #2 in the official UFC welterweight rankings, Machado Garry last stepped into the Octagon in November and took a unanimous decision over the division\u2019s former titleholder Belal Muhammad. <\/p>\n

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UFC fighters Ian Machado Garry (left) and Carlos Prates (right) watch the fight between Benoit Saint Denis (red gloves) and Mauricio Ruffy (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena. | Per Haljestam-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

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\u201cThe Future\u201d also handed Carlos Prates his first UFC loss in April, which is a win that\u2019s aged considerably well given that Prates rebounded with knockout-wins over Geoff Neal and Leon Edwards<\/a> and is scheduled to headline UFC Perth opposite Della Maddalena this Saturday. The lone setback of Machado Garry\u2019s career came at UFC 310 against Shavkat Rakhmonov, who was the presumed next welterweight title challenger before being removed from the UFC rankings<\/a> due to knee surgery. <\/p>\n

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\"Shavkat<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n

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Shavkat Rakhmonov (red gloves) reacts with Ian Machado Garry (blues gloves) after their fight at T-Mobile Arena. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

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All signs seem to be pointing towards Machado Garry as Makhachev\u2019s first title challenger, but the welterweight division has no shortage of interesting contenders at the moment. <\/p>\n

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Michael Morales (blue gloves) celebrates after defeating Sean Brady (not pictured) in the welterweight bout during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden. | Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

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Prates or Della Maddalena could both vault into the conversation with a big win this weekend, and the undefeated Michael Morales also recently teased some upcoming fight news <\/a>after meeting with UFC CBO Hunter Campbell in Las Vegas. <\/p>\n

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