A former UFC lightweight champion revealed on social media Wednesday that Khabib Nurmagomedov had “agreed to come out of retirement” with the UFC so long as he’s doing it to avenge his protege’s loss. Rafael dos Anjos has long lobbied for a rematch against Nurmagomedov, and he’s even suggested in the past that he would be willing to face rising star Islam Makhachev to earn his shot at Nurmagomedov.
It looks like “RDA” is getting his wish, so it could be “Khabib Time” in the UFC again real soon.
Per dos Anjos, it will be RDA vs. Makhachev on October 30 in Abu Dhabi, and RDA would get Nurmagomedov after that so long as he wins that fight.
He posted, “I just heard back from the UFC that Islam accepted to fight me Oct 30 5 rounds in Abu Dhabi and Khabib agreed to come out of retirement to avenge his brother’s loss after that.”
I just heard back from the UFC that Islam accepted to fight me Oct 30 5 rounds in Abu Dhabi and Khabib agreed to come out of retirement to avenge his brother’s loss after that.
Nurmagomedov defeated dos Anjos by decision in a three-round fight back in April 2014.
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Nurmagomedov Retired 29-0 But Continues MMA Career As Coach
Nurmagomedov retired 29-0 after defeating Justin Gaethje by second-round submission at UFC 254 in October 2020.
“The Eagle” currently coaches Makhachev, one of the fastest-rising lightweight prospects in the sport, and he’s told anyone and everyone who would listen to him that Makhachev is on his way to capturing UFC gold in the division that he once dominated.
In his last fight, Makhachev defeated Thiago Moises by fourth-round submission in the main event of the latest UFC Fight Night card at UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
It was another dominant performance for the 29-year-old Russian, and now he’s won eight straight fights in the UFC.
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Makhachev Needs More Wins Over Top Fighters in Stacked Division
After his latest destructive victory, Makhachev jumped all the way up to No. 5 in the UFC’s official 155-pound rankings.
Still, Makhachev has yet to face a fighter as decorated as dos Anjos.
RDA, 39, from Brazil, is currently ranked No. 7 in the division. He’s a former champion, and his resume is packed with top-flight names.
RDA defeated Paul Felder in his last fight. He has wins on his resume over the likes of Nate Diaz, Anthony Pettis, and Robbie Lawler, and he’s shared the cage with stars like Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, Tony Ferguson, and more.
According to dos Anjos on Wednesday, he’ll be the fighter who gets the next crack at the 20-1 Makhachev, and that will give the veteran his big chance to win his way to facing the undefeated Nurmagomedov.
If RDA beats Makhachev, Nurmagomedov will come out of retirement for one more fight.
If RDA loses, and that’s probably what Nurmagomedov is betting on happening if he agreed to come back under the conditions RDA posted about, he’ll be the biggest name on Makhachev’s record to date.
Of course, this is all only what dos Anjos had to say about the matter.
Ali Abdelaziz, who represents both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev denied to MMA Fighting RDA could win his way to fighting “The Eagle”.
Just spoke to @AliAbdelaziz00 who wanted to clear up the rumors about Islam Makhachev vs. Rafael dos Anjos on Oct. 30.
You can read his full statement below:
@MMAFighting
But Abdelaziz at least confirmed in the same statement that RDA vs. Makhachev could be on the way.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov ‘Agreed To Come Out of Retirement’