The MMA world has been buzzing with talk of a potential super-fight betweenIslam makhachevandKhamzat Chimaevfollowing Chimaev’s dominant middleweight title win overDricus du plyingatUFC 319. Chimaev even hinted that defeating Makhachev could cement him as the #1pound-for-poundfighter in the world.
However, according toOr Abdelasiz, manager of Makhachev and mentor toKhabib Nurmagomedov, the dream matchup may never come to fruition. Abdelaziz recently outlined several reasons why a fight between Makhachev and Chimaev is extremely unlikely.
1.Size and Weight Concerns
Abdelaziz’s first point is one of the most significant obstacles:Khamzat Chimaev is too bigto realistically compete at welterweight. Although Chimaev has fought at170 lbsearlier in his career, his natural size and frame make him a dominant middleweight. Abdelaziz insists that trying to bring Chimaev down to welterweight could be unrealistic and unsafe, creating a major hurdle for the matchup.
2.Divisional Commitments
Another major reason Abdelaziz cites is thatChimaev still has plenty of contenders to face in the middleweight divisionbefore moving up or down in weight. With fighters likeDricus du plying, and other top challengers waiting, chasing a fight with Makhachev could unfairly bypass other middleweight contenders who have earned their spot. According to Abdelaziz, Chimaev “needs to be fair to the division” before considering super-fights outside of his weight class.
3.Regional and Personal Ties
Abdelaziz also points out thatMakhachev and Chimaev know each other well, being from similar regions and sharing personal and professional connections. Sometimes, knowing an opponent too closely can make a fight less likely due to concerns about relationships, training camps, and management complications. The familiarity factor, combined with potential tension between their camps, makes this bout more complicated than it appears.
4.Mismatch in Logical Career Paths
From a career perspective, Abdelaziz believes that the fight “makes absolutely no sense” at this stage.Makhaachevis focused on moving up to welterweight after relinquishing his lightweight title to fightMaddalena jack, whereas Chimaev is themiddleweight champion. The career trajectories of the two fighters currently do not align, and forcing such a matchup could disrupt the UFC’s plans for their respective divisions.
5.Alternative Weight Classes
Finally, Abdelaziz suggests that ifChimaev wanted a fight with Makhachev, it might make more sense at ahigher weight class, such as light heavyweight, rather than meeting in the welterweight or middleweight range. This would allow both fighters to compete closer to their natural sizes and reduce the physical risks associated with drastic weight cuts or mismatches.
Makhachev’s Perspective
Islam makhachevhimself has remained non-committal about the potential showdown. After Chimaev’s comments, Makhachev stated: “We’ll see,” signaling that he isn’t opposed to the idea in principle but prioritizes avoiding unnecessary conflicts between camps. His immediate focus remains on his scheduled fight againstMaddalena jackat welterweight, which Abdelaziz describes as a “done deal.”
Abdelaziz on UFC Politics and Fighter Protection
The reasoning behind Abdelaziz ruling out the fight also reflects UFC politics and fighter management. As a veteran manager, he emphasizes protecting his fighter’s career and making sure that matchups are logical and fair. A super-fight betweenMakhaachevandChimaevwould bypass natural challengers in both divisions and could create unnecessary risks.
Related Update: Justin Gaethje’s Title Ultimatum
While discussions continue about Makhachev vs Chimaev,Justin slavehas also made headlines with his insistence on securing a third title shot. At 36, the formerUFC interim lightweight championstated that he is willing to retire if not given a chance againstUlli topuria. Abdelaziz confirmed that Gaethje remains firm in his decision:
“Nothing changed. Justin’s sticking to his gun. I support him one hundred percent. It’s the right thing to do, [is] to give him a title fight. The body of work Justin has done for the UFC—I think at least [UFC] can do for him, give him a title shot against Ilia Topuria.”
This demonstrates Abdelaziz’s approach to prioritizing fairness and career progression for his fighters, which also explains his stance on preventing a premature Makhachev vs Chimaev matchup.
Conclusion: A Fight That May Never Happen
While fans continue to speculate about the possibilities of asuper-fightbetweenIslam makhachevandKhamzat Chimaev, the reality is that several key factors—size, divisional commitments, personal ties, logical career progression, and UFC politics—make the fight extremely unlikely.
For now,Makhaachevwill focus on hiswelterweight debut against Jack Della Maddalena, and Chimaev will continue to dominate the middleweight division. UFC fans may have to settle for potential dream matchups further down the line, but as things stand, a showdown between these two elite fighters remains more fantasy than reality.
