'It's almost a done deal': Islam Makhachev says Abu Dhabi UFC show is close to being announced
The UFC is close to announcing a big event in Abu Dhabi in September, according to UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev - a teammate of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Mackachev is all set for action in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night in St-Petersburg, Russia this weekend.
And the 27-year-old lightweight says he believes his next bout will take place during the UFC's rumored event in Abu Dhabi in September.
Also on rt.com Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals UFC 'working on Abu Dhabi in September' for Russian's next fight (VIDEO)Makhachev's teammate and reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is believed to be slated for the main event in Abu Dhabi, and Makhachev says he's aware of the talks and suggested that the event is very close to being confirmed.
"Yes, I've heard about it," he told RT Sport during media day in St-Petersburg.
"I think it's almost a done deal at this moment. And if it's happening, it's almost 100% that I will perform there as well."
The 16-1 lightweight says that, based on his chats with teammate Nurmagomedov, there are still hurdles to clear before the event can be officially announced, namely the issues surrounding the one-year bans currently being served by Nurmagomedov's teammates Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov for their part in the brawl that followed Khabib's victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 229.
Nurmagomedov has repeatedly stated that he will not return to the UFC octagon before his teammates' bans have been lifted and, but based on Makhachev's comments in St-Petersburg, that situation is close to being resolved.
"I think this issue also has been solved mostly, and soon it will be announced officially,"
