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Time of India
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Khabib Nurmagomedov Points to Jack Della Maddalena's Size Advantage Over Islam Makhachev Amid UFC Rule Change Push
Images via Imagn: Islam Makhachev, Jack Della Maddalena and Khabib Nurmagomedov With Ilia Topuria winning the UFC's 155-pound crown and Islam Makhachev slated to fight for the welterweight title later this year, the future of the promotion is certainly looking bright. However, many fans were dismayed at the fact that they didn't get to see the two best fighters in the promotion settle their feud inside the Octagon. Moreover, experts even cited that the Dagestani would make easy work of fighters at 170lbs, which included the reigning champion, Jack Della Maddalena. However, UFC Hall of Famer and Makhachev's mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, has other thoughts. Khabib Nurmagomedov Believes Jack Della Maddalena to Be the Toughest Challenge of Islam Makhachev's Career In a recent interview with Adam Zubayraev on the Hustle Show, Nurmagomedov said that JDM would be a much tougher opponent for Makhachev than Topuria. 'I think Maddalena is the toughest opponent in Islam's career. That's my opinion, not Charles, no one else. None of those other fighters. Not even Ilia, if that fight were to happen. That's just my personal opinion.' The Hall of Famer cited JDM's size and strength as the reason for his analysis and added, 'First of all, Maddalena is twice the size of Ilia. Taller, bigger, stronger legs, bigger frame. His boxing is just as good. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Things You Should Stop Wearing After 40 Undo And, in grappling, he scrambles really well if you've watched him. For me, if I was preparing Islam for either Ilia or Maddalena, I'd be more concerned about Maddalena (than Ilia).' With Dana White announcing the headliners for UFC 320 and UFC 321, it is possible that JDM and Makhachev would slug it out for the 170-pound gold at UFC 322 in November at Madison Square Garden. Khabib Nurmagomedov Suggests a Big Change in the Current UFC Fight Rule Book The UFC's standard rules in 2025 still follow the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, first introduced back in 2001. These rules were brought in to help legitimize the sport, moving it away from its early reputation as "human cockfighting" during the late 1990s. With the new framework came time limits, judges, weight classes, and the 10-point must scoring system, all aimed at making MMA more professional and mainstream. However, Khabib Nurmagomedov is now suggesting some major changes to these long-standing rules. He now mentors top talents like Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov, guiding them toward championship success. With his wealth of experience, Khabib believes it's time for a rule overhaul. In the same interview with Zubayraev, Khabib shared a bold idea: 'I'd change the rules. Like, you step into the Octagon – regular fights are 15 minutes, title fights are 25, right? I'd say no rounds. No rounds at all. I always wondered – what's the point of rounds? What's the point of it all? It's for entertainment, they pause for ads and all of that.' The UFC Hall of Famer believes the current round-based format prioritizes business and television over the purity of sport. He argued that eliminating rounds would make fights more authentic and less driven by commercial breaks. 'I get it – it's for business. But if we're talking sport, I'd get rid of rounds, no rounds at all. They just step in – that's it. There should be rules, no strikes to the back of the head, no groin strikes, that sort of thing, yeah, but I'd still get rid of rounds.' Also read: Former UFC fighter Ben Askren shares emotional ride-home message after surviving complex lung surgery For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
06-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Islam Makhachev clarifies UFC retirement speculation: 'We're just beginning'
People around Islam Makhachev might have certain ideas about the timeline for his retirement from MMA, but he will be the one to make the final call. One of his longtime coaches, Javier Mendez of American Kickboxing Academy, stated this past month that he believes Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) only has three fights remaining in his career, including his expected next bout against UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. Shortly thereafter, one of Makhachev's managers, Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, said that was incorrect, and he instead believed the former longtime UFC lightweight champion still has at least three good years of competition left. Makhachev said everyone is welcome to share their takes, but right now retirement couldn't be further from his mind. He is focused on conquering a new challenge at 170-pounds and achieving his "dream" of a second belt in a second UFC weight class after vacating lightweight gold. "Javier has his opinion, Ali has his opinion – I have my opinion," Makhachev told MMA Junkie. "We're just beginning. This is a new book. We're just beginning." After some gruelling cuts down to 155 pounds, Makhachev will get some physical relief competing at welterweight and could potentially add more fights to his career. It also comes down to how often he can compete, too. Makhachev had initially hoped for three fights in 2025. Given the change in weight class it's going to be two, and he would prefer UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 25, or ideally November's UFC 322 event in New York City. "We will see when I'm going to fight," Makhachev said. "Madison Square Garden or Las Vegas or Abu Dhabi, because still we don't have the day. If not Madison Square Garden, I want to fight in Abu Dhabi. I don't want to wait."
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Dana White's mammoth Jon Jones offer ‘leaked' as insider claims Aspinall U-turn will cost icon ‘biggest UFC cheque ever'
AN INSIDER has claimed to have revealed the UFC's whopping offer to Jon Jones for a fight with Tom Aspinall. MMA's top promotion have been working on a mammoth melee between the pair since last November but have yet to finalise it. 5 The UFC agreed to Jon Jones' demands to be paid 'f**k you money' for a fight with Tom Aspinall Credit: INSTAGRAM@TOMASPINALL 5 But the former pound-for-pound king has performed a U-turn after having asking price matched Credit: GETTY 5 Former title challenger Chael Sonnen has claimed ex-rival Jones is leaving the 'biggest cheque' in UFC history on the table Credit: GETTY That's despite White and Co. meeting Long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan sensationally claimed And three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen has now claimed the former pound-for-pound king will take home a guaranteed purse of £8.9m ($12m) if he shares the octagon with He said in a video on his READ MORE ON JONES VS ASPINALL "Whatever that number was, and I believe to be $12 million, in case you're interested. Got my own sources. 'The UFC said, 'Okay'. Jon's cheque at the end of the night will be the biggest cheque he's ever got. 'It will be the biggest cheque anyone has ever got from the UFC . "It will beat out [Brock] Lesnar, it will beat out Georges [St-Pierre]. Most read in MMA JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 "Ronda Rousey's weren't as big as they embellished, it will crush hers.' Jones, 37, has left MMA fans on tenterhooks over the last few weeks by flirting with the prospect of retirement, which would see him walk away from the biggest purse of his career. Jon Jones Blasts UFC Rival Tom Aspinall In X-Rated Rant And according to White, Jones' umming and ahhing over retirement has come after He said in the UFC 316 post-fight press conference: " Jon Jones agreed to do the fight. " Jon Jones was offered the deal and accepted the deal. Jon agreed to fight Tom, yes. 'You guys have heard me for the last however long, 'I guarantee this fight is going to happen. This fight's going to happen.' "You guys told me the crazy s**t that's going on Instagram , and all these other places. "But yes, I've been saying Jon is going to fight Tom.' 'It will be the biggest cheque anyone has ever got from the UFC." Chael Sonnen on Jon Jones' purse to fight Tom Aspinall White's once unwavering confidence in booking the fight, which SunSport understands was being targeted for UFC 322 in November, is starting to fade. He admitted: "Listen, you can't make people fight, if Jon doesn't want to fight, you can't make him fight. "We can try to make him fight, we can throw things at him that inspire him to want to fight. "But we'll figure it out." Former long-reigning light-heavyweight king Jones hasn't fought since his Wigan warrior Aspinall, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines since his 5 Dana White's once unwavering confidence in booking Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall is fading Credit: GETTY
