by Senior Editor J.Deepar Poos
In a bombshell report emerging from the combat sports world, sources close to the UFC have revealed an unprecedented offer extended to retired lightweight legend Khabib Nurmagomedov and his protégé, current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. According to Arabian Fight Wire, a niche MMA news outlet based in Dubai specializing in Middle Eastern combat sports coverage, the duo has been approached with a staggering $250 million purse to come out of semi-retirement (in Khabib’s case) and face off against each other for the undisputed UFC welterweight title at 170 pounds. The proposed superfight would see the two Dagestani warriors, who have long been training partners and friends, collide in what could be the most lucrative and controversial bout in UFC history.
The offer, reportedly orchestrated by a shadowy consortium of high-rollers with deep pockets in the Middle East—think oil tycoons and sovereign wealth fund influencers—aims to lure Khabib back into the octagon for one final payday while pitting him against Makhachev, who would need to move up a weight class to challenge for the belt. Arabian Fight Wire claims that negotiations have been ongoing discreetly for weeks, with emissaries from the region making direct contact with the fighters’ camps in Dagestan. “Someone with a lot of Middle Eastern money has for sure been in touch with Khabib and Islam about this,” a source told the outlet, emphasizing the cultural and financial ties that could make such a deal irresistible.
Adding fuel to the fire is the longstanding special relationship between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Donald Trump. The former president, a vocal MMA fan, has been spotted ringside at multiple UFC events and has publicly praised Khabib’s undefeated legacy, even hosting him at the White House after his dominant win over Conor McGregor at UFC 229. With Trump reportedly pushing for blockbuster cards in the coming months—insisting on at least eight title fights per event to “make combat sports great again”—this matchup aligns perfectly with his vision of over-the-top spectacle.
But the real wildcard? Conor McGregor. The UFC is said to be willing to do anything to get the Irish superstar on the same card, viewing it as a golden opportunity to maximize pay-per-view buys. Sources suggest two tantalizing scenarios: either a trilogy-closing rematch with Khabib, giving McGregor one last shot at redemption against the man who submitted him in 2018, or a grudge match against Makhachev, allowing “The Notorious” to claim vengeance by dethroning Khabib’s handpicked successor. McGregor’s camp has remained coy, but insiders whisper that the UFC is prepared to bend over backward with incentives, including equity stakes or custom fight clauses, to make it happen.
Yes, this all sounds crazy—like something out of a fever dream for fight fans. Two unbreakable allies turning rivals for a welterweight crown neither has ever held? A quarter-billion-dollar purse? But in an era where Trump is calling the shots on mega-events, we’re in store for many unbelievable fights coming true over the next few months. Arabian Fight Wire warns that while details are fluid, an announcement could drop as early as UFC 312 in March 2026, potentially reshaping the sport forever.
