Makhachev Says Joshua Can Be A ‘Good MMA’ Fighter
Islam Makhachev has stated that Anthony Joshua could cut it in MMA if he moved to Dagestan to train in MMA.
The two met each other at PFL Dubai, as Islam was there to support Usman Nurmagomedov who defeated Alfie Davis to retain his lightweight title. Joshua, who was in the Middle East to support the Nurmagomedov team, took the invitation in his stride, jokingly countering that he might be able to handle “two or three weeks” instead of two-three years.
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The exchange comes after Joshua lost his friends Sina Ghami (strength coach) and Latif “Latz” Ayodele (personal trainer) after a car accident in Nigeria. Joshua suffered minor injuries, but the incident has left doubts over whether he will return to boxing.
“He can become (a) good MMA fighter,” Makhachev said
Makhachev’s Future
Elsewhere, Diego Lima, the coach of Ian Machado Garry, is pushing for a clash with Makhachev. The debate follows remarks from Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who argued that a legacy-defining bout with Kamaru Usman holds more weight.
Makhachev reached double-champ status at UFC 322 in November 2025, capturing the welterweight throne by defeating Jack Della Maddalena. Although Garry is in the conversation, Abdelaziz dismissed the matchup, claiming that victories over “young guys” like the Irishman do little for Makhachev’s standing. Garry has victories over both Belal Muhammad and Carlos Prates, as his coach talked up the fight.
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“Let’s be rational. The division today is one of the toughest in the UFC. This division is truly impressive. It’s a division where it’s hard to pick a favorite in almost every fight. … But I believe that, without a doubt, the fight to make for the title is Ian Garry.
“For everything. For what he’s shown, who he’s faced, how he’s faced them, the short notice on which he accepted fights, the intelligence he’s demonstrated, and the fact he sells. He sells a lot. I believe he has all the characteristics and requirements to face Islam Makhachev for the welterweight 170 title,” Lima said
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