Islam Makhachev News

Islam Makhachev attends the UFC 311 press conference, opposite Kamaru Usman backstage at UFC 294
Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman's manager makes his pitch for Islam Makhachev title fight

Harry Kettle - December 4, 2025

Kamaru Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has made his pitch for the former champion to get a shot at Islam Makhachev. For a while now, we have heard rumblings that Kamaru Usman could get a UFC welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev. It’s been discussed for quite some time, with Kamaru kickstarting the conversation after defeating Joaquin Buckley earlier this year to break his three-fight losing streak.

Islam Makhachev Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Manager claims Islam Makhachev offered UFC 324 fight before Khabib Nurmagomedov declined

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 3, 2025

If Islam Makhachev’s manager is to be believed, then Khabib Nurmagomedov shut down a title defense at UFC 324. Makhachev captured the UFC Welterweight Championship from Jack Della Maddalena in November, and it’s hard to imagine he’d have a quick turnaround at this stage in his career. Still, Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz is claiming that his fighter was offered the main event slot for January, which would’ve been for UFC’s debut on Paramount+.

Merab Dvalishvili celebrates UFC 320 win
Islam Makhachev

Merab Dvalishvili is a more interesting grappler than Islam Makhachev, says Dominick Cruz

Harry Kettle - December 2, 2025

UFC legend Dominick Cruz has explained why he prefers Merab Dvalishvili’s grappling to Islam Makhachev’s grappling. For the longest time now, Merab Dvalishvili has been seen as one of the best bantamweights on the planet. On the flip side, Islam Makhachev is considered by many to be the pound for pound best fighter in all of mixed martial arts right now.

Islam Makhachev attends the UFC 311 press conference, opposite Kamaru Usman backstage at UFC 294
Kamaru Usman

Islam Makhachev vs. Kamaru Usman slammed by top UFC welterweight contender

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 1, 2025

The idea of Islam Makhachev vs. Kamaru Usman doesn’t sit well with a top UFC contender. Makhachev is the reigning welterweight titleholder after defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in New York City. After the fight, Makhachev admitted the top choice for his next opponent is Usman. Such a fight has drawn the ire of many within the MMA community given the amount of worthy contenders at 170 pounds.

Dillon Danis, Misfits 22, Results, MMA
Islam Makhachev

NYPD: Investigation underway into Dillon Danis/Team Makhachev brawl at UFC 322

Curtis Calhoun - November 25, 2025

Dillon Danis and several members of Islam Makhachev’s team could face charges from the NYPD stemming from a crowd brawl at UFC 322. UFC CEO Dana White revealed at the UFC 322 press conference that Dillon Danis was permanently banned from all future UFC events after his involvement in a viral brawl cageside with members of Islam Makhachev’s team. The incident occurred after months of bad blood brewing between Danis, Makhachev, and their respective sides on social media.

Islam Makhachev UFC fighter introduction
UFC

UFC champ Islam Makhachev reveals biggest regret of his career

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 25, 2025

Islam Makhachev doesn’t have too much to regret about his MMA career, but there is one thing that stands out. Believe it or not, it’s not the lone defeat of Makhachev’s career back in 2015. He has long shaken off that moment to break the record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses. If that wasn’t enough, Makhachev went on to defeat Jack Della Maddalena to become the UFC Welterweight Champion.

Islam Makhachev wins at UFC 322
Islam Makhachev

Former UFC champ picks Islam Makhachev over Georges St-Pierre in welterweight GOAT debate

Curtis Calhoun - November 24, 2025

Former UFC champion Robert Whittaker picked Islam Makhachev over a prime Georges St-Pierre in a hypothetical welterweight fight. Islam Makhachev accomplished his lifelong goal to win multiple UFC world titles when he dominated Jack Della Maddalena earlier this month at UFC 322. Makhachev won the UFC welterweight championship and reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings.

Nate Diaz, Islam Makhachev
Nate Diaz

Nate Diaz explains why Islam Makhachev isn't pound for pound #1 fighter

Harry Kettle - November 24, 2025

UFC veteran Nate Diaz has explained why he doesn’t consider Islam Makhachev to be the #1 P4P fighter in the sport right now. When you’re talking about some of the most popular fighters in mixed martial arts, Nate Diaz has to be included on that list. He has achieved some great things throughout the course of his career and although he isn’t particularly active right now, he’s still a major name.

Islam Makhachev during UFC 322 press conference
Islam Makhachev

Colby Covington issues surprising praise to Islam Makhachev following UFC 322

Harry Kettle - November 20, 2025

UFC welterweight Colby Covington has praised champion Islam Makhachev following the latter’s victory in the main event of UFC 322. At UFC 322, Islam Makhachev was able to defeat Jack Della Maddalena to become the new UFC welterweight champion. In doing so, he became a two-weight UFC champion, something which very few other fighters have been able to do. Now, many are wondering what’s next for him.

Fedor Emelianenko celebrates a Bellator win, opposite Jack Della Maddalena after UFC 322
Islam Makhachev

Fedor Emelianenko calls for Jack Della Maddalena's coach to apologize for Islam Makhachev taunts after UFC 322

Curtis Calhoun - November 19, 2025

Heavyweight MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko slammed Jack Della Maddalena’s grappling coach, Craig Jones, for his taunts ahead of UFC 322. Jack Della Maddalena’s first UFC welterweight title defense was a disaster as the titleholder lost to Islam Makhachev by a lopsided unanimous decision at UFC 322. Maddalena failed to stifle Makhachev’s relentless wrestling, fading as the fight went on and failing to significantly damage the former lightweight champ.

Arman Tsarukyan UFC press conference
Islam Makhachev

Arman Tsarukyan unsure who can stop Islam Makhachev after UFC 322 sweep

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2025

Arman Tsarukyan isn’t exactly sold on a welterweight contender who can stop Islam Makhachev. Makhachev challenged Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight Championship inside Madison Square Garden in New York City this past Saturday. Makhachev lived up to his word, controlling “JDM” throughout the fight to score a unanimous decision victory.

Ian Machado Garry and Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev

Ian Machado Garry thinks he can exploit holes in Islam Makhachev's standup following UFC 322

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2025

Ian Machado Garry believes he can give Islam Makhachev fits in the standup. Makhachev displayed his dominance in the main event of UFC 322, defeating Jack Della Maddalena via unanimous decision. Makhachev’s effective grappling led to a clean sweep on the scorecards and UFC gold in a second weight class.

Islam Makhachev celebrates after a win at UFC 322, opposite Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria

Islam Makhachev's team warns Ilia Topuria against suffering Dillon Danis' fate as bad blood intensifies

Curtis Calhoun - November 18, 2025

Manager Ali Abdelaziz says Ilia Topuria could suffer a similar fate as Dillon Danis if he continues to taunt Islam Makhachev. Just before Islam Makhachev won a second UFC title at UFC 322 over Jack Della Maddalena, members of his team were escorted out of Madison Square Garden after getting into a brawl with Dillon Danis cageside. The incident happened after months of bad blood between Danis, Makhachev, and their respective teams online.

Michael Morales and Islam Makhachev
Michael Chiesa

Michael Morales can cause problems for Islam Makhachev, says UFC veteran

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 18, 2025

Michael Morales has made it to the UFC welterweight title discussion, but could that mean bad news for Islam Makhachev? UFC 322 was a memorable night, and one of the most impressive performances was courtesy of Morales. The undefeated star scored a first-round TKO finish over Sean Brady, who was one of the top contenders in the 170-pound weight class entering the fight.

Shavkat Rakhmonov
Islam Makhachev

UFC analyst believes Shavkat Rakhmonov would be a tough fight for Islam Makhachev

Harry Kettle - November 18, 2025

UFC analyst Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on Shavkat Rakhmonov possibly challenging Islam Makhachev. It’s been almost a year since we have seen Shavkat Rakhmonov compete inside the Octagon, when he extended his unbeaten record with a nice win over Ian Machado Garry. While many still believe he is the rightful number one contender for the world title, others feel as if he needs to earn his way back to that spot given his time away from the cage.

Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev

Sean O'Malley unsure how Islam Makhachev would fare against Khamzat Chimaev

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 17, 2025

Sean O’Malley feels Islam Makhachev can defeat most UFC middleweights, but could he beat the reigning champion? Makhachev further cemented his legacy this past Saturday night in New York City. He moved up in weight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight gold in the UFC 322 headliner. Makhachev’s grappling once again earned him UFC gold, securing a clear unanimous decision victory.

Kamaru Usman speaks at a UFC 322 Q&A, opposite Islam Makhachev celebrating with two UFC belts
Islam Makhachev

Kamaru Usman compares Islam Makhachev to Colby Covington in UFC 322 post-fight reaction

Curtis Calhoun - November 17, 2025

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman reacted to Islam Makhachev’s callout by comparing him to his fierce rival. Islam Makhachev achieved his lifelong goal to win multiple UFC world titles with a dominant performance last weekend at UFC 322. He smothered reigning UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena to win a unanimous decision and became the latest two-division champ in UFC history.

Islam Makhachev defeats Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322
Jack Della Maddalena

What's next for the stars of UFC 322?

Cole Shelton - November 17, 2025

The UFC was at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, on Saturday for a solid UFC 322 card. The main event saw Jack Della Maddalena defending his welterweight title against Islam Makhachev, while the co-main event saw Valentina Shevchenko defending her flyweight title against Zhang Weili. In the end, it was Makhachev who used his wrestling and strength to dominate Della Maddalena to win a clear-cut decision and become the new welterweight champion. Shevchenko, meanwhile, also used her wrestling to dominate Weili to defend her flyweight title by decision. Following UFC 322, here is what I think should be next for the stars of the event.