Islam Makhachev has confirmed that he has started preparing for his next bout. The lightweight champion's announcement comes amid various MMA news including Artur Vakhitov claiming Alex Pereira will lose his next fight due to gaining too much mass, and Jiri Prochazka responding to accusations from Ulberg by calling him a stripper. Carlos Prates did a face-off with Maddalena alongside his daughter. Hamzat Chimaev responded to Sean Strickland's comments with measured composure, comparing Strickland to a circus clown and noting that Strickland privately tells people he's just promoting fights. Colby Covington complained about UFC not showing interest in him or booking him for important events, though he remains willing to fight in UFC or potentially RAF.
Islam Makhachev has publicly confirmed that he is already in training camp ahead of his next fight, signaling that the lightweight champion is wasting no time between title defenses.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and is currently ranked as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The Russian southpaw, who trains with Eagles MMA, has built his reign on elite grappling, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts in the same span. His striking accuracy sits at 58 percent, among the best in the sport. It is worth noting the verified data lists him under the Welterweight division entry, though he has been operating as the dominant force in the 155-pound weight class.
Elsewhere in the news, Jiri Prochazka fired back at Erik Jotko Ulberg over unspecified accusations, dismissing his fellow light heavyweight with a colorful insult. Prochazka, ranked second in the division at 33 years old, carries a 32-6-1 record and one of the most aggressive output rates at 5.69 significant strikes per minute, with a reach of 80 inches out of Jetsaam Gym Brno.
Middleweight champion Sean Strickland, 35, found himself on the receiving end of sharp words from Hamzat Chimaev, who responded to Strickland's comments with composure while comparing him to a circus clown and suggesting Strickland privately admits he is simply promoting. Strickland holds a 31-7 record and averages 6.04 significant strikes per minute, carrying a 76-inch reach for Xtreme Couture.
Why it matters
- Makhachev entering camp raises immediate questions about who his next lightweight title defense will be against
- Prochazka's public spat with Ulberg adds friction to the already competitive light heavyweight division
- The Chimaev-Strickland exchange keeps the middleweight title picture noisy, with Chimaev positioning himself as a composed contender in contrast to the champion's provocateur style
