“I think Islam will fight in Saudi Arabia – it makes sense. And Hamzat – I’d put Hamzat there if he’s healthy,” the American said on another edition of The MMA Hour program.
Islam Makhachev and Hamzat Chimaev last stepped into the octagon on Oct. 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. Makhachev successfully defended his UFC lightweight championship belt by knocking out Australian Alexander Volkanovski in the first round, while Chimaev defeated former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman by majority decision in the middleweight division.
Cormier previously stated that the Russian lightweight should sweep the division next year with defenses against Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje and Dustin Porier.
That said, Makhachev himself hasn’t given up hope of getting the winner of the welterweight title fight between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington to headline UFC 296 in Las Vegas on Dec. 16.