Aug 15, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, UNITED STATES; Khamzat Chimaev during weigh ins for UFC 319 at Radius Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

mma

Ali Abdelaziz Explodes On Media, Shuts Down Islam Makhachev vs. Khamzat Chimaev Talk!

Aug 15, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, UNITED STATES; Khamzat Chimaev during weigh ins for UFC 319 at Radius Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

MMA media loves a good rivalry story, especially when it involves fighters from the same region. The story writes itself: two warriors from neighboring areas, cultural tensions, family honor on the line. It’s the kind of storyline that generates endless social media debates. Sometimes these rivalries are genuine, born from real bad blood and personal disputes. Other times, they are completely artificial creations designed to boost interest in what might otherwise be a standard title fight.

But not every potential fight needs a dramatic backstory, and Ali Abdelaziz is getting tired of the media trying to create one between Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev. The manager represents Makhachev and has watched journalists push this narrative for months now. Every time either fighter’s name comes up in interviews, reporters inevitably steer the conversation toward a potential showdown between the Dagestani champion and the Chechen contender.

Ali Abdelaziz Teaches Media A Cultural History Lesson

Abdelaziz finally reached his breaking point and decided to set the record straight about what he sees as misguided attempts to manufacture controversy. His recent X post was part frustration and part education for MMA media who clearly don’t understand the cultural dynamics at play.

“Media all the time want to start conflicts between the fighters, Dagestan and Chechnya are the same nation and same people.Of course in sports some people have to compete against each other. Some of the best people I met in my life are from these regions. Please stop this.”

Media all the time want to start conflicts between the fighters, Dagestan and Chechnya are the same nation and same people.

Of course in sports some people have to compete against each other.

Some of the best people I met in my life are from these regions.

Please stop this.
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) August 29, 2025

Abdelaziz pointed out something that should be obvious to anyone familiar with the region. Dagestan and Chechnya share deep cultural and ethnic connections that go back centuries. These aren’t rival territories locked in some ancient feud, despite what some journalists might want people to believe. Abdelaziz has spent years working with fighters from both regions and knows firsthand how close these communities actually are. His frustration stems from watching media outlets try to create division where none exists naturally.

On the flip side of this argument, Khamzat Chimaev has never shown any hesitation about fighting anyone. He recently revealed that fighting Islam Makhachev was the easiest way for pound for pound glory. The business side of this potential matchup makes perfect sense without needing any artificial drama attached to it. A fight between them would be compelling based purely on their skills and accomplishments, not because of some manufactured regional tension.

(Image Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski – Imgan Images)

Ali Abdelaziz

Islam Makhachev

Khamzat Chimaev

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!