Islam Makhachev says his next UFC opponent is already known verbally, but he is not treating the fight as official until a signed contract arrives.
Makhachev gave the update in a translated Ushatayka clip while explaining where things stand with his next UFC fight and why talks for the UFC White House card fell apart. He said the next opponent is known verbally, but no bout agreement has been signed. That lines up with the recent delay around Islam Makhachev and the UFC title picture, where the matchup has been discussed without a formal announcement.
“Well, the opponent is verbally known,” Makhachev said in the translated subtitles. “But no confirmed agreements. Signed contracts at the moment, there are none.”
Watch the source clip below:
🚨Islam revealed that his next opponent is already set, while also clarifying why he won’t compete at the White House card
Via: Ushatayka pic.twitter.com/VgzbKMZccY
— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) April 30, 2026
Makhachev Says He Already Started Preparation
Makhachev also said he has already started the early stage of camp in Kislovodsk, a Russian city often used for altitude training.
“But I have already started my basic stage of preparation,” Makhachev said. “Uhh, I am, I repeat, that I am in Kislovodsk, on the neighboring mountain. We chose not specially. With a large team, we are preparing.”
Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev has competed professionally since 2010 after a combat sambo background, later winning the 2016 world title and two Russian national titles at 74 kg. In the UFC, he won the lightweight belt against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280, defended it against Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano, then moved to welterweight and last fought on November 15, 2025 at UFC 322, where he defeated Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision to win the welterweight title.
Makhachev then explained why the White House fight did not happen. According to him, the UFC called, confirmed the fight verbally, and he gave verbal consent. The contract never came.
“Well, I already also published a post,” Makhachev said. “They called me, confirmed the fight. Agree, well, they gave. I gave verbal consent, with, not. They did not send the contract.”
He said the issue came the next day, when the promotion told him the other side’s financial request had changed the situation.
“The next day they called me that the opponent requested some kind of huge fees, and the UFC simply refused, and it is no longer relevant,” Makhachev said. “And that is how it all turned out.”
