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SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – APRIL 18: Islam Makhachev of Russia interacts with the media during the UFC Fight Night Ultimate Media Day at Hotel Astoria on April 18, 2019 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – APRIL 18: Islam Makhachev of Russia interacts with the media during the UFC Fight Night Ultimate Media Day at Hotel Astoria on April 18, 2019 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Islam Makhachev is all set to headline the UFC Fight Night on July 17 against Thiago Moises. This is a lightweight bout between two rising stars who are eager to get their first crack at the belt. Makhachev is ranked number nine and his opponent Moises is ranked fourteen. A win for Makhachev could help him secure a top 5 spot, thus opening up many more opportunities for him.
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One potential fight that could happen next for Makhachev is against Rafael dos Anjos. In a recent media session, Makhachev was asked, “Is Rafael dos Anjos the fight to make.” To which Makhachev replied, “Yeah, it’s good for me next, but this guy always run. Now he told I wanna fight with Conor or Khabib. And last week Conor slapped him in the weigh-in, what he did, nothing.”
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Islam Makhachev continued, “This guy always run this guy old. Yeah, I understand him he wanna make money, but I wanna help him retire it you know.”
The history between Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos
Makhachev and ‘RDA’ were scheduled twice to fight against each other. First, the duo was booked at UFC 254, but after ‘RDA’ tested positive for Covid-19, he was forced to withdraw. Later, the UFC tried to re-book the fight at UFC Fight Night 182, but this time it was Makhachev who pulled out because of an injury.
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HIDALGO, TX – SEPTEMBER 17: Islam Makhachev of Russia celebrates his victory over Chris Wade in their lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at State Farm Arena on September 17, 2016 in Hidalgo, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
After defeating Drew Dober at UFC 259 Makhachev called out the Brazilian, hoping to finish the unfinished business. Makhachev tweeted “Hey @RdosAnjosMMA if you don’t like all this hype around me, let’s finish our business in July @ufc.”
If your brother @TeamKhabib fight me after I beat you let’s do it. https://t.co/V64Dwk4lH7
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) March 10, 2021
Rafael dos Anjos replied, “If your brother @TeamKhabib fight me after I beat you let’s do it.”
Both Nurmagomedov and ‘RDA’ had met each other back in 2014, where ‘The Eagle‘ dominated him throughout. With revenge on his mind, Rafael dos Anjos had planned this move. But after Nurmagomedov’s retirement, the rematch looked unreal. Therefore, the fight between ‘RDA’ and Islam Makhachev never came to fruition.
If Islam Makhachev wins, will he meet ‘RDA’ next?
