Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) reacts after defeating Renato Moicano (blue gloves) in a lightweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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Islam Makhachev’s Rumored Fight Date And Opponent Revealed In Recent Interview!

Islam Makhachev's supposed fight date and next opponent revealed in a recent interview !

Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, has been the center of much excitement and speculation in the MMA world lately. Fans are eagerly awaiting his next fight, and it looks like they finally have some juicy details to sink their teeth into.

The champion, known for his calm demeanor and relentless grappling style, has held the lightweight title with an iron grip. His dominance in the division has been unquestionable, and many believe he is ready for bigger challenges, possibly even eyeing a move up in weight classes.

Also Read: Henry Cejudo Ready To Put The Gloves Down For The Final Time!

Rumored Fight Date And Opponent For Islam Makhachev

Recently, new rumors have surfaced about when Makhachev will step back into the octagon and who he might face. The update comes courtesy of an interview with Djibril Dulatov, who gave fans an intriguing hint about Makhachev’s next opponent and potential fight date.

According to Dulatov, Makhachev’s much-anticipated return to the cage will likely take place during International Fight Week in Las Vegas this summer. That’s the UFC’s annual celebration of combat sports, typically held in June. As for who Makhachev will be facing, the rumors are just as spicy. Dulatov hinted that Makhachev could be up against a former champion who held a title in a lower weight class. The name on many fans’ lips is Ilia Topuria, who recently vacated his featherweight belt.

🚨BIG NEWS🚨

Djibril Dulatov Says Islam Dulatov will be Fighting on the Same card as Islam Makhachev in June in Las Vegas 😳

In Conversation they Mention Islams opponent to be a champion in another category (weight class) and he was a title holder

Topuria vs Makhachev IFW 🧐 pic.twitter.com/1hR53rkCP3
— Kevin (@realkevink) April 6, 2025

”Djibril Dulatov Says Islam Dulatov will be Fighting on the Same card as Islam Makhachev in June in Las Vegas. In Conversation they Mention Islams opponent to be a champion in another category (weight class) and he was a title holder. Topuria vs Makhachev IFW?”

While this has stirred excitement, there are also rumors (also unconfirmed) suggesting Makhachev may move up to the welterweight division. This would align with his long-time ambition to become a two-division champion. With UFC 315 coming up soon, Makhachev can weigh his options as he waits for the result of Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena.

🚨 Islam Makhachev plans on WAITING for the welterweight title fight between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena before deciding his next fight

If Jack Della Maddalena wins, Islam would consider moving up and fighting for the welterweight title

There will most likely be no… pic.twitter.com/uWksLliKfQ
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 4, 2025

However, there’s also the possibility of a more familiar face in the lightweight division: Justin Gaethje. After his dominating victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313, Gaethje has been clamoring for a shot at Makhachev’s belt.

So, with all these exciting possibilities on the horizon, the question remains: Who will Islam Makhachev face, and when will the fight happen? UFC fans are eagerly awaiting confirmation, and many everyone is hoping the fight will be officially announced soon!

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Ilia Topuria

Islam Makhachev

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!