Boxing champion Anthony Joshua recently encountered UFC fighters Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev during the PFL event in Dubai. The occasion saw Usman Nurmagomedov successfully defend his lightweight PFL title by submission over Alfie Davis. Amid the event’s highlights, Joshua and Makhachev shared a notable exchange, with the UFC welterweight champion inviting Joshua to train in Dagestan to develop MMA skills.
Makhachev Encourages Joshua to Pursue MMA Training
Islam Makhachev suggested that spending a couple of years in Dagestan could help Joshua excel in mixed martial arts. The boxer replied humorously that a two- or three-week visit might be more feasible. Following this interaction, Makhachev posted on Instagram expressing his belief in Joshua’s potential as an MMA fighter.
“He can become good MMA fighter.”
Meanwhile, Joshua is currently traveling following the tragic loss of two close friends in Nigeria. Prior to this, he defeated Jake Paul in a highly publicized bout streamed on Netflix. Joshua was also involved in a serious crash in Nigeria but fortunately survived and was hospitalized briefly before his release.
Potential High-Profile Boxing Matches on the Horizon
Despite the possibility of crossing into MMA, Anthony Joshua’s future may include a return to the boxing ring, possibly against another top-tier opponent. Reports indicate that Dana White and Zuffa Boxing are interested in organizing a showdown between Joshua and Tyson Fury. After Joshua’s recent victory over Jake Paul, his prior loss to Daniel Dubois remains a notable part of his recent record.
Tyson Fury, who has experienced consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk and retired multiple times, is expected to come back to the ring on April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov. A match between Fury and Joshua would be a massive event, significantly boosting Zuffa Boxing’s profile as a growing promotion.
The Significance of the Joshua-Makhachev Interaction and Future Prospects
The interaction between Islam Makhachev and Anthony Joshua highlights the growing curiosity and crossover potential between boxing and MMA. Makhachev’s confidence in Joshua’s ability to adapt suggests a widening respect across combat sports disciplines. Whether Joshua will pursue MMA training in Dagestan remains unclear, but his openness to the idea indicates his interest in broadening his combat skills.
In boxing, the prospect of a Tyson Fury fight represents a major upcoming event that could reshape the heavyweight division. Joshua’s career decisions in the near future, either continuing in boxing or exploring MMA, will be followed closely by fans and analysts alike.
