Khabib Nurmagomedov gave a date for the return of Islam Makhachev

Khabib Nurmagomedov has indicated when Islam Makhachev will return to the octagon. The UFC lightweight champion will defend his belt in January 2025.

Islam Makhachev was scheduled to return to the octagon in the fall and face Arman Tsarukyan. Two galas were under consideration, where the Dagestani was to defend the belt. First there was talk of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, and then UFC 309 in New York.

In the end, nothing came of it, as the UFC champion in the up to 70 kilogram division had problems with his wrist. Makhachev picked up the injury in a bout with Dustin Poirier and needed time to heal the injury.

Dana White dismissed the possibility of organizing a fight for the interim belt, claiming that Makhachev often defended the title. Now more light has been shed on the matter by Khabib Nurmagomedov. The former lightweight champion, as well as Islam’s trainer and friend, in an interview with Ushatayka, revealed the planned date for Makhachev’s return.

– The UFC offered Islam a fight in January. We have accepted the offer. Soon the UFC will announce where and with whom Islam will fight. I don’t want to announce it, but I can convey that we are focusing on January.

Islam Makhachev is scheduled to fight his next bout in January 2025. It will probably happen at the UFC 311 gala, the location and exact date of which have not yet been officially announced.