Khabib Nurmagomedov's manager makes astounding prediction for potential Alex Pereira vs. Islam Makhachev fight: "This is what I believe in"

Khabib Nurmagomedov's manager Ali Abdelaziz recently made a bold statement about how a potential fight between Islam Makhachev and Alex Pereira would play out. He praised reigning lightweight champion Makhachev and claimed that the Dagestani fighter is capable of defeating anyone in any division.

In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Abdelaziz asserted that Makhachev would make light work of Pereira.

''I believe 155, 170, 185, I think Islam can beat anybody at any given day. This is what I believe in because what he’s shown me, the development, the improvement. I think Islam will beat Alex Pereira at 205, I do. I swear to Allah. I think Islam Makhachev will beat Alex Pereira. He’s just going to take him down and finish him, submit him.''

Abdelaziz continued

''Alex Pereira can knock out anybody on the planet if he touches you, but I think Islam Makhachev is this good. …Skill for skill, I think he’s one of the best fighters, most complete fighters we’ve ever seen. It’s not Demetrious Johnson, it’s nobody."

Check out Ali Abdelaziz's comments below (11:15):

In his recent octagon appearance at UFC 302 earlier this year, Makhachev faced Dustin Poirier. Poirier put up a tough fight, however, the 33-year-old submitted 'The Diamond' in the last round via a D'Arce choke to retain his lightweight title. He is now set to make his fourth title defense against Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch in the main event of UFC 311 on Jan. 18.

Meanwhile, Pereira made three title defenses in 2024, with the most recent one coming against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307, where 'Poatan' secured a fourth-round TKO victory.

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When Khalil Rountree Jr. backed Alex Pereira to be the No. 1 P4P fighter ahead of Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev finished the year atop the P4P rankings, ahead of Jon Jones and Alex Pereira.

Everyone in the MMA community has different opinions regarding the list, including Khalil Rountree Jr., who believes that Pereira should be the No. 1 P4P fighter, given his impressive performances this year. In an appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast in October 2024, Rountree Jr. said:

''I personally would also have to say Alex. The only other person I would say, and we'll find out later on in the year, would be Jon Jones... Right now, just based off of what I have seen, based off of performances, level of opponents, things like that, right now, I'd say it would be Alex."

Check out Khalil Rountree Jr.'s comments below (17:53):