Manager of the UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, Ali Abdelaziz, stated that the league offered the Russian fighter the chance to headline the UFC 324 event, which will take place on January 25 in Las Vegas, USA.
Ali Abdelaziz
They contacted me and asked if Islam could headline the event in January. He promised to think about it, but then Khabib Nurmagomedov said, 'No! This is not happening!’ Kamaru Usman and Ian Machado Garry were considered as potential opponents.
Recall that Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will fight for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 324.
Islam Makhachev last stepped into the octagon in November 2025 at UFC 322, defeating Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision. He holds a record of 28 wins and one loss.
