Anthony Joshua has counter-offer for Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s famous Dagestan offer
Anthony Joshua doesn’t want to be sent to Dagestan for two-three years and forget – but he is interested in a visit.
The two-time unified heavyweight boxing champion currently lives in Dubai, where he stopped by PFL’s latest event on Saturday night. As usual, their show at the Coca-Cola Arena was headlined by Usman Nurmagomedov, who choked out Alfie Davis in the third round of their clash to retain his belt.
Before the fight, Joshua headed backstage to meet with the famed Nurmagomedov team, which included an all-star corner. Khabib Nurmagomedov headed up proceedings alongside Javier Mendez, while Usman’s brother Umar and the legendary Islam Makhachev filled out the corner.
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Anthony Joshua wants brief visit to Dagestan to train with Islam Makhachev
During his visit to the Nurmagomedov dressing room, Anthony Joshua spent time with Khabib Nurmagomedov. But he seemed particularly keen to meet with Islam Makhachev and show him something on his phone.
The two-weight UFC champion was the last person Joshua met before heading back to his seat, and was quick to take out his phone and show Makhachev something. They didn’t appear to laugh at whatever was shown, but the pound-for-pound great did tell him that he ‘should come’ to Dagestan.
Joshua then made reference to the popular ‘2-3 years Dagestan’ meme, which is used when someone is not masculine and it is suggested that they head to the Russian town to learn to fight and become tougher.
The boxing champion joked that he might not be willing to visit for two or three years, but instead might make a trip for two to three weeks, which drew a big laugh from the room.
Anthony Joshua meets with PFL MMA CEO John Martin
It wasn’t just the Nurmagomedovs who got a chance to meet with the heavyweight boxing star. He sat next to Dakota Ditcheva throughout the night, and also had a chance to meet with the new CEO John Martin.
Joshua and Martin could be seen shaking hands, with the Brit asking him ‘how’s business’. The former Turner Broadcasting boss took over last year, and is already making wholesale changes including getting rid of the world tournament and allowing long-time executives Donn Davis and Peter Murray to move on.
