Khabib Nurmagomedov has been pictured with Hunter Campbell in Dubai after the pair met for crunch talks this week.
The legendary lightweight champion is now a firm fixture in the corner of Islam Makhachev, whose next move is unknown as yet. He and renowned manager Rizvan Magomedov met with Campbell, who is second in command to Dana White at the UFC, for talks.
It is believed that Makhachev is waiting out the result of the UFC 315 main event to decide what’s next in his career. The lightweight champion will move up if his teammate and friend Belal Muhammad loses his belt, but will stick around and likely fight Ilia Topuria if he retains.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov meets with Hunter Campbell in Dubai
On Instagram last night, Khabib Nurmagomedov shared a photo showing himself at a meeting with a number of important figures. His teammate Zubaira Tukhugov joined him to spend time with Hunter Campbell and Rizvan Magomedov for a chat.
Magomedov is one of the main power players in MMA management, working alongside Ali Abdelaziz at Dominance Management. He also takes care of light-heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev and Khabib’s undefeated cousing; PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov.
They met with Campbell, who is arguably as important a figure in the current UFC structure as Dana White himself. He is Chief Business Officer, and a deal rarely goes through without his involvement in some way.
It is unclear what exactly they were meeting about, but Campbell tends to be sent internationally for major meetings regarding the company’s biggest stars.
Islam Makhachev could move up to welterweight to challenge for a second belt
While the biggest fight that could be made is Makhachev vs Topuria, there is no doubt that the Russian would prefer to move up in weight. He has already broken the long-standing record for lightweight title defences, and believes that the ex-featherweight champion needs a win at the weight first.
Meanwhile, Makhachev famously finds it difficult to make the 155lb limit and would likely be much stronger and better hydrated at 170lb. He would also be able to accomplish something Nurmagomedov couldn’t by moving up and winning a second belt.
Makhachev won the lightweight belt from Charles Oliveira in October of 2022 before defending against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski twice, Dustin Poirier and most recently Renato Moicano to break a record for defences that dates back to BJ Penn’s day as champion.