Islam Makhachev News
Justin Gaethje potentially cageside for Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2: "I'm not against it"
Josh Evanoff - August 8, 2023
Justin Gaethje is open to facing off with the winner of Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira at UFC 294. ‘The Highlight’ is fresh off his rematch against Dustin Poirier late last month in Utah. Five years after ‘The Diamond’ scored a knockout win, Justin Gaethje got his revenge in the main event of UFC 291. In the opening seconds of the second frame, he scored a highlight-reel stoppage victory.
Islam Makhachev mocks 'loyal hater' Michael Chandler's prediction for Justin Gaethje fight
Josh Evanoff - August 3, 2023
Ahead of his return, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has taken aim at Michael Chandler. The Russian has been out of action since his clash with Alexander Volkanovski in February at UFC 284. There, the two champions put on a show, going back and forth for 25 minutes. At the conclusion of the five-round contest, Islam Makhachev retained the lightweight gold by unanimous decision.
Justin Gaethje knows "for a fact" Islam Makhachev is not as good as Khabib Nurmagomedov and hopes he can "prove that"
Cole Shelton - July 24, 2023
Justin Gaethje wants the chance to prove Islam Makhachev is not as good as Khabib Nurmagomedov. Gaethje fought Nurmagomedov back at UFC 254 in October 2020 and it was Nurmagomedov winning by second-round submission. After the win, Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA which did catch many by surprise.
Colby Covington warns Islam Makhachev against moving up to welterweight: “Keep acting like you wanna come up to Daddy's division”
Harry Kettle - July 21, 2023
Colby Covington has warned Islam Makhachev against making a potential move up to welterweight in the future. Everyone knows that Colby Covington likes to run his mouth. In addition to that, he also enjoys teasing other fighters, with the two usually going hand in hand.
Daniel Cormier believes fans are going to be “very disappointed” with Islam Makhachev's next fight
Susan Cox - July 19, 2023
Daniel Cormier believes fans are going to be ‘very disappointed’ with Islam Makhachev’s next fight. Lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA) last stepped in the Octagon in February of this year at UFC 284 where he met and defeated Alexander Volkanovski (26-2 MMA) via unanimous decision.
Islam Makhachev calls for welterweight title fight against Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - July 18, 2023
Islam Makhachev is hoping to fight Leon Edwards next time out. Makhachev is the UFC’s reigning lightweight champ and is coming off a decision win over Alexander Volkanovski back in February. Since then, he has been campaigning to get a fight but nothing has come to fruition. As well, with Charles Oliveira saying he won’t be ready in October, there is no clear-cut next contender for Makhachev to defend his belt against. With that, Makhachev is looking to fight for the UFC’s welterweight title in October in Abu Dhabi.
Coach Javier Mendez predicts “epic” rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - July 13, 2023
Coach Javier Mendez has predicted that Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev will produce an epic rematch in the future. Earlier this year, Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev went to war. They battled it out over the UFC lightweight championship and, in the end, the decision went in favor of Makhachev. He was able to retain his belt, leaving Volkanovski to head back down to 145 pounds and defend his strap at featherweight.
Charles Oliveira says he will “not be ready” to fight Islam Makhachev at October’s UFC 294 event in Abu Dhabi
Harry Kettle - July 10, 2023
Charles Oliveira has revealed that he will not be ready in time to take on Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in October. Earlier this year, Charles Oliveira got back to winning ways in style. He finished Beneil Dariush in their title eliminator match-up, setting himself up for a rematch with Islam Makhachev. As many fans remember, Makhachev was able to dethrone ‘Do Bronx’ and capture the UFC lightweight championship last year.
Islam Makhachev responds to Dan Hooker’s claim that he used an IV prior to their fight at UFC 267
Harry Kettle - July 7, 2023
Islam Makhachev has laughed off claims from Dan Hooker that he used an IV prior to their UFC 267 showdown in October 2021. Back in late 2021, Dan Hooker opted to take on Islam Makhachev on short notice. In the end, the contest went how many were expecting, with Makhachev picking up a quick submission win. His road to immortality, of course, would eventually end in him capturing the UFC lightweight championship.
Arman Tsarukyan explains why he's the one to dethrone Islam Makhachev: "It’s going to be a tough fight"
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2023
Arman Tsarukyan believes he is going to be the one to dethrone UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Tsarukyan made his UFC debut on short notice at UFC St. Petersburg in July of 2019 against Makhachev. Tsarukyan entered the contest as a sizeable betting underdog, but was able to make the fight much closer than many expected. Makhachev ultimately got the unanimous decision win, but Arman proved he could hang with the division’s best.
Alexander Volkanovski confident he'd beat Islam Makhachev in UFC title rematch: "I'll win and then we'll make a bigger fight"
Fernando Quiles - June 21, 2023
UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski believes he’ll get the better of Islam Makhachev in a rematch. Earlier this year, Alexander Volkanovski challenged Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship. It was a highly competitive title fight that went the distance. Ultimately, Makhachev was awarded the close, but unanimous decision victory to maintain his hold on the 155-pound gold.
Charles Oliveira's coach predicts KO win over Islam Makhachev in UFC title rematch
Fernando Quiles - June 20, 2023
Charles Oliveira’s team certainly isn’t lacking confidence. Charles Oliveira pulled off a scintillating first-round TKO finish over Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 earlier this month. This was a pivotal bout in the lightweight division. The quick finish for “do Bronx” may have earned him a rematch against Islam Makhachev. Back in October 2022, Makhachev took the previously vacant UFC Lightweight Championship via second-round submission over Oliveira.
Islam Makhachev reveals UFC rejected an offer to return in the summer: "Everything turned upside down"
Josh Evanoff - June 19, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will have to wait until the promotion’s trip to Abu Dhabi to fight. The Russian has been out of action since his clash with Alexander Volkanovski in February. The two champions headlined UFC 284 and put on an instant classic. At the end of the five-round bout, it was Makhachev who retained the lightweight title by unanimous decision.
Islam Makhachev downplays Charles Oliveira's chances in rematch: "I don't think he can do anything"
Josh Evanoff - June 19, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev still doesn’t believe Charles Oliveira has a shot against him. ‘Do Bronx’ returned to the octagon earlier this month at UFC 289. There, the Brazilian faced Beneil Dariush, who was riding a lengthy winning streak. Leading into the event, both men were attempting to secure a title shot, as the bout was Charles Oliveira’s first since last October at UFC 280.
Israel Adesanya shares conspiracy theory regarding February’s UFC lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Alex Volkanovski
Harry Kettle - June 15, 2023
Israel Adesanya has revealed a conspiracy theory he heard regarding the UFC lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski. Israel Adesanya has always been a straight shooter. Instead of shying away from controversial topics, he’s more than happy to voice his opinion. The UFC middleweight champion also happens to be one of the most popular fighters in mixed martial arts, so you know that fans will listen to what he has to say.
Islam Makhachev shares his thoughts on Jon Jones being ranked the #1 pound-for-pound fighter: “This is bullsh*t, brother”
Harry Kettle - June 15, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev isn’t happy about Jon Jones being the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the rankings. Following his win over Alexander Volkanovski, many believed Islam Makhachev was the new #1 P4P fighter in the world. However, because of how close the fight was, the UFC opted to keep Volkanovski at number one.
Daniel Cormier weighs in on potential rematch between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev
Susan Cox - June 13, 2023
Daniel Cormier is weighing in on a potential rematch between Charles Oliveira and current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Oliveira (34-9 MMA) most recently defeated Beneil Dariush (22-5 MMA) via TKO at 4:10 of round 1. It all took place at UFC 289 last Saturday, June 10th, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev says the BMF title is for bums
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2023
Islam Makhachev has taken aim at the BMF belt. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion, but in the main event of UFC 291, two of the top 155lbs contenders in Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje are set to collide for the BMF belt. Many fans have mixed feelings on the belt and Makhachev says the BMF belt is for bums.