Makhachev's Manager Teases 'Biggest' UFC Fight
Ali Abdelaziz, manager of UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev, teased a massive upcoming bout bigger than one with Ian Garry — calling it one of the UFC's biggest possible fights. This comes as Ian Machado Garry takes shots at Makhachev after teasing a title fight, with Abdelaziz responding to the callout. Meanwhile, Jean Silva vs. Aljamain Sterling is reportedly booked for UFC 328.
While a clash with the streaking Ian Machado Garry seems logical on paper, Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both Makhachev and former welterweight king Kamaru Usman, has his eyes on a legacy-defining megafight. Makhachev himself has called Usman the "biggest name in welterweight" and believes the former champion would be his "hardest fight" at 170 pounds. Usman, for his part, has been actively campaigning for the bout, stating he has proven he can still defeat the top contenders in the division. Despite recent setbacks, Usman's long and dominant reign as champion provides the kind of high-profile name recognition that both Makhachev and his management are seeking for his first welterweight title defense. However, recent reports suggest the UFC's Chief Business Officer, Hunter Campbell, may have different plans, creating uncertainty around the matchup. Another tantalizing possibility for Makhachev is a champion-versus-champion superfight against the current welterweight titleholder, Leon Edwards. While Edwards has expressed openness to the "massive fight," he has also indicated that both he and Makhachev have unfinished business in their respective divisions before such a bout could materialize. A rematch with the No. 2 ranked lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan, also looms large. Their first encounter in 2019 was a highly competitive "Fight of the Night" affair, and Tsarukyan has been on a tear through the division since. Tsarukyan believes he is the biggest threat to Makhachev and has been vocal about his desire for a second chance, this time with the title on the line.
