Islam Makhachev Targeting MSG or Abu Dhabi for Next Fight

Now-former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has a couple of dates in mind for his next fight.

Makhachev, who last fought in January at UFC 311 when he defeated short-notice fill-in Renato Moicano (stepping in for Arman Tsarukyan), vacated his title in order to pursue a second championship at welterweight. That dream came one step closer to happening when teammate and training partner Belal Muhammad lost his 170lb title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in May.

Now, Makhachev is almost certainly next for JDM, though no date has been officially announced. The Dagestani star doesn’t apear to have a date either, though he has a preference for where and when.

“We will see when I’m going to fight,” Makhachev said in a recent interview with MMA Junkie. “Madison Square Garden or Las Vegas or Abu Dhabi, because still we don’t have the day. If not Madison Square Garden, I want to fight in Abu Dhabi. I don’t want to wait.”

With MSG and Abu Dhabi his clear preferences, that would put Makhachev in line for a return in either October or November. The UFC recently announced that UFC 321 will take place in Abu Dhabi on October 25, 2025. UFC 322 will take place the following month in New York City.

Islam Makhachev recently asked Dana White for the opportunity to compete inside the famed Madison Square Garden, he also revealed. “It would be an honor for me to fight in the biggest arena for MMA and boxing. It’s a legendary arena, you know? I will be happy to have the opportunity to fight in Madison Square Garden.”

Makhachev, 33, is 27-1 in his professional career, and has won 15 straight fights. He won the UFC’s lightweight title in 2022 and defended it four times, breaking the promotion’s consecutive title defense record at 155lbs in the process.