Fight announcements in the UFC used to be straightforward affairs. Fighters would show up, sign contracts, and wait patiently for the official press releases to hit social media and news outlets. But the modern era has turned managers, training partners, and even family members into unofficial news breakers who love dropping hints on podcasts and interviews. Sometimes these leaks happen accidentally, while other times they’re strategic moves to build buzz around upcoming matchups that everyone knows are coming anyway.<\/p>
The relationship between managers and promotions can get tricky when it comes to keeping fight news under wraps until the perfect moment. Smart managers understand that timing matters when it comes to maximizing attention and media coverage for their fighters. They also know that stepping on the UFC<\/a>‘s toes by announcing fights before the promotion is ready can damage important business relationships.<\/p> Ali Abdelaziz has essentially confirmed that Islam Makhachev will face Jack Della Maddalena in an interview with Submission Radio<\/strong>. The influential manager made it clear that the deal is already done when asked about a potential November showdown at Madison Square Garden. However, he’s being careful not to steal the UFC’s thunder by making any official announcements himself. Abdelaziz specifically mentioned that he’s waiting for the promotion to handle the formal announcement out of respect, since that’s their job and he doesn’t want to spoil their carefully planned marketing rollout.<\/p> “At the end of the day, the fight is done. But I am always respectful to the promotion. It is their job. They need to announce the fight.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>Ali Abdelaziz Spills The Beans While Staying Respectful<\/h2>