Islam Makhachev assessed the likelihood of a fight with Khamzat Chimaev

Dagestani mixed martial artist Islam Makhachev chose not to escalate the situation around a potential super fight with Chechen fighter Khamzat Chimaev.

The 33-year-old fighter from Dagestan was forced to speak out on this topic during an event in Kaspiysk, timed to coincide with the tournament in memory of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.

Journalists asked the athlete if he was ready to meet Chimaev in the octagon if he managed to win the belt in the welterweight category (up to 77 kg). Islam showed diplomacy, avoiding categorical statements.

Makhachev named the reluctance to create grounds for aggravation of relations between the natives of Dagestan and Chechnya as the key reason for such restraint. He also emphasized that all his attention is now focused on the upcoming fight against Australian Jack Della Maddalena, and only after this fight will it be possible to discuss future opponents.