Islam Makhachev has confirmed rumours that Hasbulla will be in attendance for his fight against Dan Hooker

The Dagestani wrestler, 30, returns to action this weekend at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi following his most recent victory over Thiago Moises in July. 

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Fighting out of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Makhachev is a long-time training partner of Khabib Nurmagomedov and considered by many to be the heir apparent to the former UFC lightweight champion. 

Makhachev and Hooker will compete on the main card of Jan Blachowicz's clash against Glover Teixeira and Makhachev says that he will have the support of the viral internet sensation when he steps inside the octagon. 

Speaking at a press conference before the fight, he said: "Hasbulla is in Dubai, I think he's going to come to my fight." 

Khabib Nurmagomedov (L) and Hasbulla Magomedov (R)

Makhachev's opponent Hooker has responded by saying that he will personally train Hasbulla's arch rival Abdu Rozik ahead of one of the biggest fights of the year. 

He said: "Who's the other bloke? Who's the guy on my team? Abdu! Abdu's on my team.

"I've got a horse in the race now. I'm training my boy Abdu, no word of a lie.

"Abdu's on my team and Hasbulla can be on his team. He's picked his horse, he's picked the losing horse. Game on baby."

Makhachev also says that he originally wanted to fight Tony Ferguson but he turned down a fight with him. 

The Russian star said: “They give me two names: Tony Ferguson or Dan Hooker.

“They say Tony Ferguson don’t answer, and Hooker is ready. I say, ‘Let’s go, it doesn’t matter.’

"I think Tony is finished. He’s on a three-fight losing streak. That’s why it’s not a good idea to fight [with me]."

Islam Makhachev will face Dan Hooker at UFC 267 on Saturday

Makhachev added: “He [Hooker] is tough, he is good, high-level striking. I think he has more than RDA [Rafael dos Anjos] because RDA is a little bit old I think. 

"He don’t have good win streak, but he’s tough. He fights with good opponents and has beat a lot of tough opponents, too. That’s why it’s going to be a good fight for me.

"Honestly I don't see his wrestling game or grappling skills, but we will see, I'm going to check them."

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