Islam Makhachev is facing familial pressure to call it quits.
The lightweight champion is at the height of his powers, but that isn’t impressing mama Makhachev. In an interview with UFC Russia, Makhachev confirmed his mother is actively asking him to walk away from the sport. Citing his former coach Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement at his families request, Makhachev’s mother is eager for him to stop fighting.
Makhachev is arguably the top pound for pound fighter in the UFC at the moment. He’s not likely to walk away anytime soon, especially at the prime of his career. The Dagestani grappler detailed that while his mother doesn’t watch him fight, she is adamant he walks away.
““When I came home [after winning the title], there were a lot of people there. She said, ‘You’re champion now. Wrap it up. Khabib listened to his mother, when will you listen to yours?’”
With a bevvy of opponents ready and waiting for a shot at his title, it’s not likely we’ll see an early exit from the prodigious champion.
Volkanovski, Poirer call for showdown
On Makhachev’s Twitter, the lightweight champion asked “Who’s Next?” The responses came from exactly the fighter’s one would expect. Volkanovski responded, as it is becoming likely he’ll remain at lightweight to pursue a rematch. The biggest development was Dustin Poirier calling for a title shot.
Poirier has been ambivalent in challenging Makhachev, but may be emboldened after watching Volkanovski nearly dethrone him at UFC 284.
The most likely scenario is that Makhachev will be facing the winner of the recently announced Beniel Dariush vs. Charles Oliveira fight at UFC 288 this May.
