Feb 12, 2023; Perth, WA, AUSTRALIA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) during the fight against Alexander Volkanovski (not pictured) during UFC 284 at RAC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

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Islam Makhachev Teases Potential Fight Venue Following UFC 311, Leaving Fans Guessing What’s Next!

Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev drops hint about his next fight location after UFC 311 fight with Arman Tsarukyan!

Fresh off his impressive submission victory over Dustin Poirier last June, Islam Makhachev isn’t just sitting around polishing his belt. He has got his hands full with a tough challenge against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311. However, that is not stopping him from planning ahead.

In a recent Instagram post that got fight fans buzzing, Makhachev dropped a not-so-subtle hint about his preferred fighting grounds. This could be the next venue where fans can expect the Pound for Pound #1 fighter to showcase his skills.

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Where Can Fans Expect Islam Makhachev’s Next Fight?

Every fighter has a place and venue where they feel most comfortable. Islam Makhachev has always had a special relationship with Abu Dhabi. It is like his home away from home in the fighting world. The lightweight champion first made his mark there by claiming the title from Charles Oliveira back in October 2022, and he’s been practically unstoppable ever since.

“Abu Dhabi is my arena,” wrote Makhachev on Instagram.

🗣️ Islam Makhachev: "Abu Dhabi is my arena." 💪

(via. IG / @MAKHACHEVMMA) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/FdLd9o3LRM
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 4, 2025

Before fans get too excited about potential Abu Dhabi showdowns, though, Islam Makhachev needs to handle some serious business first. He is facing Tsarukyan at the brand-new Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. This isn’t just any regular fight night. Sure, Makhachev beat Tsarukyan in April of 2019, but both fighters have come a long way since then.

Islam Makhachev hasn’t lost a fight in nearly a decade (14-fight win streak), while Arman Tsarukyan has been on an absolute tear, winning nine of his last ten fights. Fans would think after beating Poirier and having two epic battles with Alexander Volkanovski, Makhachev might take it easy. 2024 was slow for him, with only one fight, but he is out here trying to stay active in 2025 and cement his legacy as one of the greatest champions ever.

While everyone is focused on this upcoming fight in the shiny new Intuit Dome, Islam Makhachev’s already mentally packing his bags for Abu Dhabi. That is where his heart is and where he feels the most confident in himself and his fighting skills!

(Image Credit: Jasmin Frank – Imagn Images)

Arman Tsarukyan

Islam Makhachev

UFC 311

Zaid Quraishi

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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!