Islam Makhachev explains feeling "bad" for Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 presser: "It's gonna be a long night for him"

UFC CEO Dana White recently announced the main and co-main event of UFC 311. For the main event, Islam Makhachev will be returning to rematch Arman Tsarukyan and defend his lightweight strap.

For the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili, defending his bantamweight title, will be squaring off against Umar Nurmagomedov. Other than the two aforementioned Dagestani fighters, Tagir Ulanbekov will be facing Clayton Carpenter in the prelims of UFC 311.

All the Dagestani combatants on this card are in some way associated with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, who will be in their corner on Jan. 18, 2025. Makhachev is Nurmagomedov's training partner and friend, Umar is his cousin and Ulanbekov is his teammate.

At the UFC 311 presser, the current UFC lightweight champion poked fun at 'The Eagle', saying :

"We try to make it easy but it’s gonna be long night from him [Khabib Nurmagomedov]. From the card opening Tagir Ulanbekov fighting the first fight, myself, Umar… I feel bad about Khabib. It’s gonna be long night for him."

At the presser, Makhachev also made it clear that he has no interest in fighting current UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who has called him out a few times in the past.

Check out Islam Makhachev's comments below:

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Nate Diaz and Islam Makhachev’s recent backstage altercation at UFC 311 presser

After the UFC 311 press conference in Vegas, Nate Diaz, who was also in Vegas to support his teammate Kron Gracie fighting at UFC 310, had a scuffle with Islam Makhachev.

While Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov both have had legendary UFC careers, they do not share a good professional relationship. At the presser, Diaz threw a water bottle at 'The Eagle's' teammate, and a team member fired a bottle back at him. However, the situation did not escalate thanks to security.

Diaz has previously hurled bottles during a press conference. He threw cans at Conor McGregor in 2016. Also, the press conference for UFC 279 had to be canceled after skirmishes broke out involving fighters, including Diaz, on the card.