Ali Abdelaziz: Islam Makhachev greatest fighter alive; Harrison made Nunes cry | Cageside 1 on 1

Dominance MMA CEO Ali Abdelaziz spoke to Grind City Media’s John Morgan for the latest “Cageside 1 on 1” to help preview Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, including the role Khabib Nurmagomedov played in the preparation, as well as the shared legacy of the longtime teammates.
Is Makhachev truly “the greatest fighter living in combat sports right now”?
Additionally, Abdelaziz gave numerous updates on his roster of athletes - including Belal Muhammad ahead of his clash with Leon Edwards at UFC 304, Kamaru Usman as he looks to return from injury, top flyweight contenders Manel Kape and Amir Albazi, and massive claims involving Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes - as well as adding some added background on an explosive post he recently made on X.
Timecodes
0:00 - Introduction
2:41 - Islam Makhachev immune to emotional plays from Dustin Poirier
4:17 - Makhachev beats Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Leon Edwards, Dricus du Plessis
7:30 - Belal Muhammad “may be arrested” at UFC 304
9:16 - Kamaru Usman on the mend, should fight at welterweight
10:33 - Manel Kape, Amir Albazi next big names at flyweight
11:36 - Kayla Harrison turned down by Raquel Pennington, Aljamain Sterling
13:32 - Harrison made Amanda Nunes cry in training, would beat her ass in fight
16:18 - Promoters: Don’t hold fighters hostage
19:32 - UFC 302 predictions
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[@BoriQua602]

Best manager in MMA!!

[@beaualoevv]

from the monkeys to the sea, paIestine won’t be free .

[@BoriQua602]

@@beaualoevv israeli spotted 😂😂😂😂

[@beaualoevv]

@@BoriQua602i don’t live in a 3rd world country

[@BoriQua602]

@@beaualoevv no such thing as israel

[@charliec2966]

WORST MANAGER IN THE UFC. RUINED GAETHJE'S TITLE SHOT. FAVORED ISLAM

[@nawazshah9958]

Best in the game 🎉🎉

[@KoreanBritish]

Hate or Love Ali. You have to admit, the guy is entertaining and a hell of a manager.

[@BoriQua602]

1000% agreed..Great manager

[@ArsalanKhan-ty9vq]

Ali handled the whole face off situation with class. No trash talk or unnecessary shenanigans. That's why I like both khabib and Dustin's camp. Less talk more action. Another great interview by John.

[@BoriQua602]

100000%

[@azizulryk]

Ali is the best Promoter like Uncle Dana.. Ali learn from the Best..😂😅

[@scottgray9674]

John having to nod when Ali says "when Dana White gives you his word, he keeps it" was hard to watch

[@JohnMorganMMA]

I know it’s easier to trash Dana and the UFC than to give any support, but I can honestly tell you in nearly 20 years of dealing with Dana, this has been my experience. That’s why I nodded. When I disagreed, I said it.

[@KhaderSheriff]

​@@JohnMorganMMA 😮 The legend

[@nomadikones]

He's gotta be talking about ONE Championship... Many fighters have been jumping ship...

[@specialedition5591]

he might be right if Kayla can take punch from Nunes I believe she can look at her size she can get close and her judo skills are great

[@charliec2966]

PLEASE JOHN MORGAN. ASK EXCITING QUESTIONS AT PRESS CONFERENCES. NOT- HOW DOES IT FEEL ? WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK TO ( INSERT CITY) ? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU? PRESSERS ARE ONLY FOR HYPE. NOT TO WRITE A STORY. STORY INFO SHOULD BE GATHERED DURING THE WEEK. PRESSER IS LAST OPPORTUNITY TO HYPE THE FIGHT.

[@JohnMorganMMA]

Remember, media members are not there to “hype a fight.” That is the UFC’s job. That said, I have always tried to strike a fair balance between potentially newsworthy opportunities and just getting fun quotes. I have legit never asked “when are you coming back” questions.

[@Anonymous-lx5xv]

@@JohnMorganMMA John, there’s videos with thousands and thousands of views where people make Bingo cards and have: “John Morgan will ask (insert standard question) at the presser” as one of the squares… There is an undeniable perception held by fans that MMA reporters ask lazy questions. It has literally become a meme in the community. There is a reason the user’s plea to have you ask more interesting questions has the most upvotes. Why not thank them for the constructive criticism instead of acting like their request is unfounded?

[@charliec2966]

@@JohnMorganMMA INCORRECT. PRESS CONFERENCE IS TO HYPE A FIGHT. MEDIA IS THERE, SO THAT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY ASWELL. EVEN IF NOT IN THE JOB TITLE. MEDIA SHOULD NEVER ASK QUESTIONS THAT DON'T BRING ENTERTAINMENT VALUE. THE STORY PIECE QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DONE DURING THE WEEK. PRESS CONFERENCE IS THE LAST CHANCE TO BRING ENTERTAINMENT VALUE/ HYPE.

[@jek2135]

He is referring to Chatri Sityodtong from ONEFC for not giving his fighter Saygid Izagakhmaev a fight for more than 18 months after beating his favorite fighter Shinya Aoki in the first round. Saygid is also from Dagestan and from Team Khabib. You can see him on Islam training as one of his sparring partner. Islam Makhachev was there cornering Saygid when he knockout Shinya Aoki.

[@beaualoevv]

no1 gaf about other mma organizations. ufc or no one cares

[@babahadjimohamed9339]

​@@beaualoevvThe concern is for someone who comes from a humble background and whose only qualification to make a living is fighting, and there is a greedy person who wants to hold his career hostage.

[@shindavid6484]

I hope he's talking about one, such a terrible organization. At some point they have to pay for the things they've done to fighters. So many fighters that they've signed and shelved. What's happened to Saygid Izagakhmaev? What's happened to Soldic? What's happened to Chingiz Allazov? Saygid Arslanaliev? The list can go on and on...

[@babahadjimohamed9339]

I'm huge Islam fan, But Ali you add too many flavors in this one

[@alfiashaikh9228]

Kayla can defeat Amanda. I think she will!

[@ligidobastian9245]

Ali's head shape has more definition than a beluga whale.

[@MMAGANG_]

Ali is the manager your hope for if your a fighter. He’ll lie for you and even hype you up beyond your wildest imagination . But cmon Makahchev did not finish Ankalaev .

[@medsed1133]

Did he say Islam finished Magomed Ankalaev ?? wtf

[@babahadjimohamed9339]

BS don't buy that one

[@user-ld3po5ym1d]

Islam has already been beating so hes not unstoppable your delusional mate

[@medsed1133]

13 fight win streak bro

[@user-ld3po5ym1d]

@@medsed1133 im not on bout hes win streak that hes on ATM i am saying he was already lost in the past so hes not unbeatable

[@Naksu..]

See even Ali believes Makhachev is going to beat Dustin. I' ve watch the whole press conference. Loss all respect to DP when he started talking about Makhachev's mom. What a loser ..

[@sharulnizamnizam3649]

MF di us seperti assalamualaikum😂😂

[@marijuanamamat1714]

@@sharulnizamnizam3649 😂😂😂😂

[@Naksu..]

@@sharulnizamnizam3649 nenek dia MF. Cer dtg cni. komen type c jadi 3r, akt hasutan. c kemngkinan ciku,cendawan,chnpeng.. letihdunia..

[@TWINS-TV-PRANKS]

Let's go best team Khabib