Khabib Nurmagomedov: Khabib Nurmagomedov reportedly shuts down Islam Makhachev’s plan for a quick January welterweight title defense

Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to have told current UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev not to defend his title at the start of 2026.

Makhachev, the former lightweight champion, became the latest UFC two-division king after dominating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

The Russian champion has been trained by Nurmagomedov and is close friends with ‘The Eagle’. While there is a lot of interest in who Makhachev fights next, the date for that bout hasn’t been shared yet.

Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has been named as the potential challenger for Makhachev’s crown by the Russian’s manager Ali Abdelaziz.

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Abdelaziz spoke to Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie ahead of UFC 323, where he was asked about when and who Makhachev would fight next. He replied:

“Islam just fight, honestly, even UFC reached out to me, they were asking him to fight a main event in June 27, he thought about it.”

Bohn corrected Abdelaziz about the June event being at the White House. The Russian’s manager then said that the UFC wanted Makhachev to fight in January on the first Paramount card, before Nurmagomedov shut it down:

“[Makhachev] thought about it but Khabib said ‘Shut up.’ Honestly, Kamaru’s name was in the mix for January 28, honestly, Ian Garry’s name was in the mix too.”

Check out Ali Abdelaziz’s comments below (16:00):

Islam Makhachev willing to make lightweight cut for one condition

Islam Makhachev had spoken about how moving up a weight class was a burden off his shoulders, especially when it came to eating.

The Russian doesn’t have to undergo severe weight cuts to fight at lightweight, and he isn’t interested in moving down, too, barring one condition.

During a recent interview, Makhachev was asked about a potential fight against current lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. The welterweight king said that cutting weight wasn’t that easy for him anymore, but he could do it for the right money:

"As for 155, it would have to be a very good offer to make me cut down to 155 once again. I’m not that young for this sport, and every weight cut takes a lot of health from me. It’s not as easy as it used to be."