White House? Khabib Nurmagomedov projects Islam Makhachev's return to the UFC.

Islam Makhachev was champion in two categories. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.

Islam Makhachev 's return to the UFC may be very close to being announced. According to Khabib Nurmagomedov , the main coach of the Dagestan Clan, the current welterweight champion (up to 77,1 kg) should make his first title defense in the middle of this year. Although he did not go into details about his friend's next opponent, the Hall of Famer guaranteed that preparation should begin in just over a month.

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The Eagle revealed the next steps for the Dagestan Clan in a video published by the Anatomy Of a Fighter channel, which has followed the group since the former lightweight champion's peak (up to 70,3 kg). In it, Khabib explained that while Usman will have the opportunity to compete more often in the PFL, Makhachev should return to the world's most famous octagon after Ramadan, which this year will take place between February 17 and March 19.

“The PFL will offer Usman three fights in 2026. Islam will return around June, July, maybe – who knows. After Ramadan, he will fight. We are working on his next fight,” the former fighter stated in the video, captured before his cousin defended the PFL title against Alfie Davis.

Khabib says Islam will return after Ramadan and PFL is going to offer Usman three fights in 2026 💪🔥

“PFL is gonna offer Usman 3 fights in 2026. Islam's gonna come back around June, July, maybe – who knows. After Ramadan, he will fight. We are working on his next fight.”… pic.twitter.com/eth6BzPH0n

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 16, 2026

The coach's statement is interesting, considering that in June of this year the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will hold one of the most anticipated and ambitious events in the company's history, at the White House. For this event, it is expected that Dana White will try to secure the presence of the Russian fighter, currently ranked number one in the organization's pound-for-pound rankings.

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