Islam Makhachev News

Dricus du Plessis explains why Islam Makhachev super fight would be 'easy payday' for him
Fernando Quiles - January 28, 2025
Dricus du Plessis doesn’t see Islam Makhachev giving him much of a problem if they ever share the Octagon. Both du Plessis and Makhachev currently hold UFC gold. The middleweight title belongs to du Plessis, and he will look to have a second successful defense when he meets Sean Strickland in a rematch on February 8th. As for Makhachev, he recently made history by setting a new record for the most successful UFC Lightweight Championship defenses when he submitted Renato Moicano.

Islam Makhachev shares preference on who he wants to fight next: 'I like this idea'
Fernando Quiles - January 26, 2025
Islam Makhachev wants a fresh UFC title challenger for his next defense. Makhachev put his name in the history books after he set a new record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses. He defeated Renato Mociano, who was a late replacement opponent after Arman Tsarukyan pulled out of the fight due to a back injury. Makhachev ended up submitting Moicano in the opening frame to push his title defenses to four.

Ranked UFC lightweight says Max Holloway can give Islam Makhachev problems: 'There are things that could be difficult'
Fernando Quiles - January 24, 2025
One top-10 UFC lightweight has explained why he feels Max Holloway could make things interesting against Islam Makhachev. Makhachev recently broke the record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses. He was expected to meet Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311, but the challenger was removed due to a back injury. Renato Moicano stepped up and he was submitted in the opening frame.

Daniel Cormier believes Arman Tsarukyan should be next for Islam Makhachev following UFC 311: "It has to be him!"
Josh Evanoff - January 21, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes Arman Tsarukyan should still be next for Islam Makhachev. The lightweight champion is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 311 on Saturday. Back for the first time since submitting Dustin Poirier last June, Islam Makhachev was set to meet Arman Tsarukyan. The bout was going to be a rematch of their prior meeting in April 2019, which saw the Russian win by unanimous decision.

What's next for the stars of UFC 311?
Cole Shelton - January 20, 2025
The UFC was in Inglewood, California for a solid UFC 311 card on Saturday, as the event saw two titles on the line. In the main event, Islam Makhachev took on Renato Moicano on 24 hours’ notice as he looked to defend his lightweight title. The co-main event saw Merab Dvalishvili defending his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov.

Kamaru Usman scoffs at notion that Islam Makhachev & Belal Muhammad can't fight due to training ties
Fernando Quiles - January 20, 2025
Kamaru Usman doesn’t believe that Islam Makhachev should hesitate to fight Belal Muhammad. Makhachev recently set a new record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses in the promotion’s history. With how dominant he has been at 155 pounds, many believe it’s only a matter of time before he tries his hand at welterweight. Makhachev has even said that his dream is to become a two-division UFC champion.

Charles Oliveira reacts to Islam Makhachev's main event win at UFC 311
Harry Kettle - January 20, 2025
UFC star Charles Oliveira has given his thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s victory in the main event of UFC 311. As we know, Charles Oliveira is one of the biggest stars in the Ultimate Fighting Championship right now. He’s a veteran, he’s a former world champion, and he’s eager to prove that he still has what it takes to win a belt at 155 pounds. Following his win over Michael Chandler, he’s also seen by many as one of the leading contenders for a future title shot against Islam Makhachev.

Islam Makhachev reacts to Umar Nurmagomedov's UFC 311 loss against Merab Dvalishvili
Fernando Quiles - January 19, 2025
Islam Makhachev has shared his reaction to Umar Nurmagomedov’s first career defeat. Makhachev and Nurmagomedov were both in title fights on the UFC 311 card this past Saturday night. Makhachev successfully defended his UFC Lightweight Championship against Renato Moicano in the main event. Just prior to his walkout, Makhachev witnessed Nurmagomedov drop a unanimous decision to bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili in the co-headliner.

Dana White believes Islam Makhachev is now the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world
Harry Kettle - January 19, 2025
UFC president Dana White now believes Islam Makhachev is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world after UFC 311. Islam Makhachev is the best fighter on the planet right now. At the very least, he’s the best mixed martial artist, and that much was made even clearer last night. He went in there and took Renato Moicano apart in one round, albeit on short notice. Now, it’s hard to deny that he’s also one of the top two lightweights – or three – to have ever competed in the UFC.

Islam Makhachev calls out Dricus du Plessis as he teases double champ push
Harry Kettle - January 19, 2025
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has teased the idea of moving all the way up to middleweight. Last night, Islam Makhachev became the most decorated lightweight in UFC history. He did so by successfully defending his belt for a fourth time, submitting Renato Moicano in what proved to be a dominant performance.

Pros react after Islam Makhachev subs Renato Moicano at UFC 311
Chris Taylor - January 18, 2025
Tonight’s UFC 311 pay-per-view event was headlined by a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Renato Moicano. Makhachev (27-1 MMA) was be looking to earn his fourth consecutive title defense this evening in California. The Russian standout was coming off stoppage wins over Dustin Poirier and Alexander Volkanovski in his most previous Octagon appearances.

UFC 311 Results: Islam Makhachev stops Renato Moicano (Video)
Chris Taylor - January 18, 2025
We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 311 results, including the main event lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Renato Moicano. Makhachev (26-1 MMA) was originally slated to square off with Arman Tsarukyan in tonight’s main event. However, the Armenian was forced to withdraw from the contest on Friday morning due to injury.

Islam Makhachev opens as massive betting favorite against Renato Moicano at UFC 311
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2025
Islam Makhachev has opened up as a massive betting favorite ahead of his UFC 311 title defense against Renato Moicano. Makhachev was supposed to headline the card against Arman Tsarukyan, but on Friday, the challenger was forced out of the bout and Moicano stepped in. Now, ahead of the fight, oddsmakers released odds for the bout which has Makhachev as a sizeable favorite.

Renato Moicano sends message to Islam Makhachev ahead of shock UFC 311 title fight: "Tomorrow is money time!"
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2025
Renato Moicano has sent a warning to Islam Makhachev ahead of their UFC 311 title fight. The man known to fans as ‘Money Moicano’ has received the opportunity of a lifetime. Fresh off a stoppage victory over Benoit Saint-Denis in September, Renato Moicano was initially set to meet Beneil Dariush on Saturday. However, due to an injury to Arman Tsarukyan, the Brazilian has now been bumped to the main event.

Islam Makhachev releases short statement after UFC 311 main event switch: "The meaning of Pound-For-Pound"
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2025
Islam Makhachev has released a statement following UFC 311’s main event shakeup. The Russian is set to return to the octagon in tomorrow night’s main event in Las Vegas. Back for the first time since scoring a submission win over Dustin Poirier last June, Islam Makhachev was set to meet Arman Tsarukyan. The UFC lightweight champion famously defeated the Armenian by unanimous decision in St. Petersburg back in 2019.

BREAKING: Arman Tsarukyan out, Renato Mociano in against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311
Fernando Quiles - January 17, 2025
Renato Moicano is stepping up to challenge Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 due to unforeseen circumstances. Makhachev was prepared to put his lightweight gold at stake against Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311. UFC CEO Dana White broke some major news during the weigh-ins. There has been a change of plans, as Tsarukyan was forced off the card due to a back injury.

Islam Makhachev says he’s "not leaving" the UFC "without a second belt"
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2025
Islam Makhachev says his goal is to become a champ-champ in the UFC. Makhachev is set to defend his lightweight title in the main event of UFC 311 on Saturday in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan. It’s an intriguing fight and if he wins, there is no clear-cut next contender for Makhachev. With that, Makhachev says he’d be interested in going up to welterweight as he claims he won’t retire until he is a champ-champ.

Charles Oliveira will attend UFC 311 to watch Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2: 'I'm the next'
Fernando Quiles - January 16, 2025
Charles Oliveira will be waiting for the winner of the UFC 311 main event. This Saturday night, Islam Makhachev will put the UFC Lightweight Championship at stake when he shares the Octagon with Arman Tsarukyan. Both men have grown significantly in the fight game since their first meeting back in 2019. Fans will soon get to see how things will play out in the rematch.