Islam Makhachev didn't sit quietly after Shavkat Rakhmonov's recent comments about getting passed over for a title shot. Makhachev pointed out that Rakhmonov gave that interview wearing a large brace on his knee while still insisting he wants the fight. He said, "He says I should have chosen him. Choose him and wait for 1.5 years? Let him recover and he will become one of the contenders. I never said that I will not fight him." That's about as direct a denial of ducking anyone as you'll get.
Sources (12)
We summarise the day's news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work.
- Islam Makhachev fires Back at Shavkat Rakhmonov over UFC title snub (Sherdog)
- Main Card Results | Noche UFC (UFC)
- Watch: Phil Baroni’s stunning fall from UFC knockout artist to Mexican jail (Sherdog)
- Jean Silva predicts early end to Noche UFC 4 main event (Sherdog)
- Dana White says Ilia Topuria is ready to fight following first UFC loss (Sherdog)
- Freddie Haggerty Targets Rungruanglek Knockout To Chase ONE Contract (MiddleEasy)
- UFC champ Justin Gaethje stumps for Trump at GOP midterm convention (Sherdog)
- Dana White says Terence Crawford would fight again under one condition (Sherdog)
- Results + Scorecards | Garcia vs Benn (UFC)
- UFC security spoiled Ryan Garcia’s plan for Conor Benn face-off before Dana White cut it short (Bloody Elbow)
- Ex-UFC Champion Reveals Biggest Mistake Ilia Topuria Made Against Justin Gaethje (Yahoo Sports)
- Francis Ngannou Trashed by Dana White: ‘He’s a Bad Guy’ (Yahoo Sports)
Split from that day's roundup, so the sources listed are the full set behind the whole edition rather than this story alone.
This story ran in the September 11, 2026 edition of the daily show.