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“Islam Have Different Mission” – Khabib Nurmagomedov Says He Will Never Sign Islam Makhachev From UFC

Published 12/16/2021, 6:10 AM EST

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UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov is all set to land in the U.S.A. again for an MMA event. However, this time it isn’t for the UFC. The retired UFC fighter turned promoter is going to host an event for his homegrown MMA promotion (Eagle Fighting Championship) in Miami in 2022.

While speaking about his promotion in a recent tell-all interview with ESPN, ‘The Eagle’ was asked if he was going to induct his close aid and protege Islam Makhachev into his new venture as well. Even though adding Makhachev into the fold would have been of significant benefit to the Russian, Nurmagomedov has denied the rumors. He also stated that Makhachev has different goals, which he has fostered since childhood.

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He revealed, “No, no, no, Islam have different mission, you know. He have to become next year, you have to become UFC champion. End of the next year, you know. Islam, Umar, Zubaira like all other brothers like who right now who sign with UFC. They are gonna stand with the UFC like all their life, you know all their professional life.”

“I think because they go when they was like young fighters. When they were kids, their goal was like become UFC fighter, you become UFC champion. For us to become global promotion, we need couple years minimum. And they everybody is like almost 30 years old and the next couple years they for sure gonna stay with UFC.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov unable to find an opponent for Rashad Evans

With January fast approaching, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s MMA promotion is also toiling hard for its main card. The main card for Eagle FC 44 will see Tyrone Spong take on Russian veteran Sergei Kharitonov after Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva pulled out from the fight.

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However, there may be other problems that Eagle FC needs to tackle. One of them being Rashad Evans’ opponent.

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The owner and promoter of the promotion revealed in an interview that they still haven’t found a worthy opponent for the UFC Hall of Fame participant. He said, “No, we don’t have yet opponent for [Rashad Evans]. It’s like, we ask couple guys; they all pull out. You know, it’s like little bit hard to find for Rashad opponent.”

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Are you excited about Eagle FC’s debut in the U.S.A.? What do you make of Nurmagomedov’s stance to not sign Islam Makhachev? Tell us in the comments below.

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Written by:

Aashish Kumar

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Aashish Kumar is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. A graduate in Journalism & Mass Communication, this Israel Adesanya fan has interned at reputed media houses and gained valuable reporting experience. Building on that experience, Aashish will look to tap into his love for combat sports and let fans benefit from his passion and journalistic expertise.
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