Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov shared a new post on his social media feed, featuring an image from the post-fight press conference at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. In the photo, Nurmagomedov stands beside fellow Russian contender Islam Makhachev, who is slated to challenge Charles Oliveira for the UFC title at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. It is also noted that Nurmagomedov defended his belt a second time in Abu Dhabi against Dustin Poirier.
He wrote, saying, He was in Abu Dhabi three years ago. Now we are going to the belt again. The message underscores the ongoing momentum of the storied training camp and its athletes as they eye another major championship clash.
Valentina Shevchenko, a former UFC champion in a different division, offered commentary on the upcoming Oliveira versus Makhachev title fight, indicating she does not view Makhachev as the clear favorite for the matchup. Her assessment adds another layer of analysis from a former champion who remains highly attuned to the competitive landscape.
In the lead-up to the main event, Makhachev delivered a decisive victory at UFC Fight Night 202. He stopped American fighter Bobby Green with a first-round technical knockout. The bout came together after Beneil Dariush, who was originally expected to face Makhachev, sustained an injury. Green stepped in as a late replacement and proved capable of testing the Russian grappling ace before the finish.
With this win, Islam Makhachev moved his professional record to 22 wins and just one defeat, reinforcing his status as a top contender in the lightweight division and maintaining his trajectory toward another high-stakes title opportunity.