Islam Makhachev reveals he declined to fight at UFC 324, open to White House return

Islam Makhachev could have been part of the UFC’s 2024 kickoff, but the lightweight champion had other plans.

In an interview with Ushatayka, Makhachev revealed he was offered a spot on the Jan. 24 UFC 324 card in Las Vegas, but passed on the opportunity due to the timing not working out. Makhachev most recently fought in November, when he won a dominant decision over Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC 322 main event to add the welterweight title to his list of achievements, which also includes a UFC record four consecutive lightweight title defenses.

Makhachev is currently targeting a return in the second quarter of 2026.

“I don’t know yet, but I was offered a fight in January,” Makhachev said (Russian translation via Championship Rounds). “January, I think, is an impossible date because I had already been in camp for three months and they called me in December. They were like, ‘You’ll be fighting in January.’ I said it was already too late. I needed to leave for camp and be ready for January. I told them I definitely won’t fight in January.

“I think it will be after Ramadan for sure. April, May, June. If they want to wait and put it it at the White House, then I’ll wait. If not, then I can fight earlier.”

UFC 324 is scheduled to be headlined by Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for an interim lightweight title, with bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison defending her bantamweight belt against returning legend Amanda Nunes in the co-main event.

According to Makhachev, he wasn’t told who he would be defending against, though he suspects it was undefeated welterweight contender Michael Morales. The Ecuadorian standout scored a statement knockout of Sean Brady on the undercard of the Makhachev vs. Della Maddalena event.

“They didn’t tell me the name, but honestly, I think it was Morales,” Makhachev said. “That’s my opinion. They didn’t say the name, they just asked whether I would fight in January or not.”

“I don’t think so,” Makhachev said. “That’s just my guess. I don’t know for sure and neither does my manager.”