Khabib announced the date of the fight and Islam Makhachev's next opponent

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion Khabib Nurmagomedov made a statement at a press conference in New York about the next opponent for his friend and compatriot, former lightweight champion of the promotion Islam Makhachev.

Nurmagomedov stated that Makhachev's opponent will be Australian Jack Della Maddalena, who holds the UFC welterweight division belt. The Australian won the title on June 11, 2025, defeating American Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 315.

The fight between Makhachev and Maddalena will take place on November 15 in New York at Madison Square Garden stadium.

In 2025, Makhachev decided to move up to welterweight, which is why he relinquished his previous title - in the lightweight division.