Islam Makhachev picks Coach Khabib’s arch rival as his dream fight in the UFC

My brother Khabib supposed to fight this Tony Ferguson like 5 times both they have injuries the fight is canceled. My dream is to fight this guy because at the moment. Because I always with Khabib, when Khabib have injury I ask my manager can I step to fight this Tony. Tony, in that moment, very good athlete, very good fighter, he had more than 10 fight win streak in UFC.

Islam Makhachev via Adin Ross Stream

Tony Ferguson, prior to his 8-fight losing skid, enjoyed an impressive 12-fight winning run. Among his peers and fans, Ferguson was hailed as the only noteworthy challenge for ‘The Eagle.’ Unfortunately for the duo, the fight never materialized. Now, years removed from the era, Makhachev looks back on wanting to replace Nurmagomedov in order to fight Ferguson.

Islam Makhachev is inching closer to achieving greatness in the promotion. With three title defenses to his name, Makhachev is one step away from cementing himself as the greatest lightweight champion in UFC history. He left behind his newborn son to prepare for the monumental task at hand at UFC 311. Not just that, but even in training, Makhachev has shown great potential to be an all-time great.

Islam Makhachev is the only man to win rounds from Khabib Nurmagomedov

The lightweight king is currently riding a 14-fight winning-streak, merely 2 wins shy of matching Anderson Silva’s win-streak record (16). Makhachev has faced a loss before, but ever since then, he has put together a dream run. Speaking with media, AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) head coach, Javier Mendez, shed light on his star pupil’s abilities and how he would do against Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Mendez revealed that Nurmagomedov never lost any sparring session in his entire time in the gym, let alone rounds, in his career. All but one man, Islam Makhachev, seemed to hold his own and even edged a few rounds from ‘The Eagle.’ Showering words of praise on the pound for pound king for doing the impossible, Mendez offered behind the scene look of their camp.

In all the history since 2012, Khabib has been sparring with me in front of my eyes. Nobody has ever taken a round from him. No one has ever won a sparring session except one man, Islam (Makhachev). He is the only one who has won rounds, never won a session, but won rounds from Khabib.

Javier Mendez via Submission Radio

A victory at 2025’s first PPV would allow Makhachev to go beyond Khabib Nurmagomedov’s record of three title defenses. Moreover, Makhachev has been quite vocal about chasing a second world title. It would leave the doors open for UFC to book a super fight between the winner of Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov next.