Islam Makhachev issues witty response to Jordan Burroughs's callout at RAF Moscow
Islam Makhachev had a rather intriguing comeback to Jordan Burroughs's passionate callout of him at RAF Moscow.
Islam Makhachev's fierce, albeit respectful, rivalry with American wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs seems to be intensifying. Makhachev has now responded to Burroughs's latest callout, which happened to come at the high-profile RAF Moscow event.
The Islam Makhachev vs. Jordan Burroughs rivalry
The banter between MMA star Islam Makhachev and wrestling great Jordan Burroughs has been one to note, with many fans attributing it to Makhachev's memorable conversation with UFC legend Daniel Cormier a few years ago.
The Dagestani combatant implied -- while speaking to Cormier, who's his longtime training partner -- that Burroughs simply had a double-leg takedown and not much else in his wrestling arsenal.
Burroughs, needless to say, disagreed. Their verbal back-and-forth continued over the years, although it's noteworthy that their differences of opinion didn't turn into a disrespectful dispute. Both martial artists consistently expressed their respect for one another.
That aside, Burroughs made his promotional debut in the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling organization last month. The 38-year-old bested UFC welterweight Sean Brady via tech fall (11-0) in their matchup's second period at RAF 12.
Jordan Burroughs calls out Islam Makhachev at RAF Moscow; the UFC champ issues a witty response
Jordan Burroughs's next, and most recent, match saw him defeat Russian wrestling savant Magomed Kurbanaliev by way of tech fall (10-0) in their showdown's third period at RAF Moscow on September 5.
Speaking to ex-UFC star Chael Sonnen during his post-match interview -- in front of the fans in attendance at the Mytishchi Arena in Mytishchi, located in the Moscow Oblast in Russia -- Burroughs hailed Russia.
A 2012 Olympic gold medalist in the 74 kg category in the sport of freestyle wrestling, the US native praised Russia's rich wrestling culture. Burroughs also indicated that it was the first time in his long and illustrious career that he'd competed in Russia.
Addressing whom he'd like to wrestle next, Burroughs called out Islam Makhachev for a freestyle wrestling showdown in the RAF. He stated:
"Islam! Where are you? Hey, I came to your country, to your capital city, and tech-falled one of your world champions. I'll be back to Russia very soon, and the only person I want to share the stage with is Islam. I'll be back."
Moreover, Chael Sonnen said, "The challenge is on -- Jordan Burroughs vs. Islam Makhachev. For tonight, your winner, Jordan Burroughs."
Watch Jordan Burroughs's incredible matchup against Magomed Kurbanaliev and his post-match callout of Islam Makhachev below (*match at 1:31:10 and comments at the 1:43:10-minute mark of the video):
Islam Makhachev soon chimed in with his reaction to Jordan Burroughs's callout. The latter had also called out Makhachev, Georges St-Pierre, and others during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show last month.
Well, Burroughs has time and again, especially in recent times, asserted that he wouldn't compete in MMA. Nevertheless, Makhachev seemed to challenge him to an MMA fight inside the cage.
Capping off his X post with a "Winking Face" emoji, alluding to the lighthearted nature of his response, Makhachev wittily wrote, "Congrats on your win legend. In the cage, anywhere anytime."
Congrats on your win legend. In the cage, anywhere anytime š https://t.co/OpnalJTExX
ā Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) September 5, 2026
Makhachev is fresh off a unanimous decision win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15. The Dagestan, Russia representative thereby notched his first UFC welterweight championship defense, in addition to breaking Anderson Silva's record by extending his UFC win streak to 17.
The consensus is that Makhachev, a former UFC lightweight kingpin who's currently ruling the welterweight division, could return to defend his welterweight throne in January next. Top contenders like Carlos Prates and Michael Morales are in hot pursuit of a title shot against the grappling maestro.
