Islam Makhachev warns UFC legends they must get his permission to use 'pound for pound' podcast name

01/08/2025 10:32 AM

Islam Makhachev has sent a warning shot to a pair of MMA icons, claiming they must reach out to him if they want to keep their podcast name.

The Russian grappler is adamant that he is the only man who has a right to that title.

Islam Makhachev says Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo must reach out to him if they want to keep their podcast name

Blessed with formidable grappling skills, Islam Makhachev has scaled the lightweight mountain, earning his spot as the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.

With that in mind, the Dagestani has taken issue with a pair of former champions, who are using that term as the name of their podcast.

Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman have proven themselves in the cage beyond doubt, with both men participating in multiple world title fights throughout their careers.

However, the former flyweight and bantamweight champion as well as the ex-welterweight title-holder, are no longer at the top of the tree.

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With that in mind, during an interview with Demetrious Johnson, the 155-pound King, made it clear that the MMA stars need to reach out to him if they want to carry on using the name.

He chuckled: “Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman, they call their podcast ‘Pound for Pound’. We do not agree with this. You don’t have our guys’ permission. You have to call us; we give you permission.”

‘Mighty Mouse’ laughed: “Yes, copyrighted, Islam Makhacehv and Demetrious Johnson, 2024.”

Alternatively, Makhachev suggested: “Maybe we forgive them if they put our podcast on their channel.”

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Makhachev returns to the cage at UFC 311, inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, USA, in an eagerly-anticipated rematch with Arman Tsarukyan.

The fight has excited fans around the globe, including a social media star’s dad, who’s gone viral for trying to convince his wife to let him miss his wedding anniversary in favor of going to the event.

His efforts are both valiant, and extremely amusing.

And at the end of his plea, she hits him with one of the coldest lines of all time.

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