Rafael dos Anjos willing to fight Islam Makhachev next only if Khabib Nurmagomedov does this

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4 years ago

Rafael Dos Anjos celebrates his victory against Neil Magny during UFC 215 at Rogers Place on September 9, 2017 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

Islam Makhachev could be running the Rafael dos Anjos fight next but there is a Khabib Nurmagomedov catch in all this

Rising UFC star Islam Makhachev is searching for his next fight and he could be running one that was cancelled a while back.

Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos were to fight at UFC 254. However, both stars suffered some problems and that fight was removed.

Rafael Dos Anjos of Brazil reacts after his victory over Paul Felder in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 14, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

However, Dos Anjos seems keen on having a go at Makhachev now. The Russian called out the former UFC Champion but Dos Anjos had a stipulation when revisiting the Makhachev clash.

Makhachev is coming off a great win over Drew Dober and wants to chart the rankings. He had Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner and Dos Anjos wanted a favour from the Eagle.

The Brazilian claimed that he wasn’t allowed a rematch against Khabib back when Ali Abdelaziz was his manager.

Abubakar Nurmagomedov with Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner. (imago Images)

The former UFC Champion lost to Khabib but wants the Eagle to fight him after the Makhachev clash:

“When I had the belt I asked Ali who was my manager at the time for a rematch with Khabib but Ali always protected his friend and kept him alway from me. I have no problem to fight @MAKHACHEVMMA but if his team believes in him so much I need @TeamKhabib word he will fight me next.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov to come out of retirement for Islam Makhachev?

Makhachev has been touted as the next Khabib and many believe he will be a future champion in the UFC.

However, he needs to fight a ranked star next and RDA fits the bill perfectly. While Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez, believes his student can take on anyone in the division, it will be interesting to see what happens next in this story.

Islam Makhachev celebrates his first round knockout against Gleison Tibau in their Lightweight fight during UFC 220 at TD Garden on January 20, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

Khabib retired from the UFC after defending his title against Justin Gaethje. The Russian hasn’t been stripped of the gold but the UFC has to move on.

Khabib and Makhachev have a long history of not only being training partners but friends too. However, it is unlikely that Khabib will come out of retirement for Islam to face Dos Anjos.

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Saiyed Adeem Karim

Ditching a corporate job to follow a dream isn't easy, but when football comes calling, who can say no? Been following the beautiful game since 1998. Liverpool addict, F1 fanatic!