Discussions suggest Islam Makhachev is gearing up for his inaugural UFC welterweight title defense, and a prominent training partner has weighed in on the subject. The fighter in question is Gadzhi Rabadanov, who is slated to compete against Alex Chizov in the PFL Sioux Falls co-main event on May 2nd.
Reports are circulating that Islam Makhachev has verbally committed to his first UFC welterweight title defense and has already commenced his training camp. When addressing the buzz surrounding the UFC’s pound-for-pound elite making his return to the octagon for this significant career advancement, Rabadanov remarked [as cited by Bowks Talking Bouts],
“Indeed, he [Islam Makhachev] has initiated his training camp. Currently, he’s situated in the mountains. He’s engaged in training; he’s begun his camp. Perhaps his next adversary will be revealed shortly. However, I can confirm he’s started. He’s actively training at this moment. He is ready.”
A high-ranking UFC welterweight contender appears to have revealed Islam Makhachev’s subsequent challenger
Islam Makhachev’s upcoming adversary might have been inadvertently disclosed by another fighter in his division, who himself is facing a significant welterweight bout this weekend. The individual in question is Carlos Prates, set to compete against the fighter from whom Makhachev seized the 170-pound championship. Jack Della Maddalena is that former champion, and he will be the hometown favorite at UFC Perth when Della Maddalena squares off with Prates this Saturday.
Given the speculation that Makhachev will compete in August at UFC 330, Prates, while sharing his perspective on who he believes would be the opponent for that initial UFC welterweight title defense, declared in an interview with MMA Fighting [as reported by Bloody Elbow],
“There’s Ian [Machado Garry], who is scheduled to fight Makhachev currently, so the subsequent bout will involve Carlos Prates.”
Prates shares a history with Machado Garry, as the latter secured a points victory over the former in April of the previous year. This encounter took place at UFC on ESPN 66, serving as the main event for that fight night.
