Islam Makhachev News
Dana White announces Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier at UFC 302
Harry Kettle - April 14, 2024
UFC president Dana White has announced that Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC lightweight title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. Off the back of UFC 300, the Ultimate Fighting Championship are riding high. Of course, one of the biggest discussions coming out of the event is what’s going to happen at lightweight. As we know, Max Holloway is now considered to be a big contender at 155 pounds after finishing Justin Gaethje.
Islam Makhachev takes apart Max Holloway's comments about not being an active champion
Curtis Calhoun - April 11, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has responded to Max Holloway’s accusations of ducking a fight with Justin Gaethje earlier this year. Holloway and Gaethje will clash in a five-round BMF title fight this Saturday at UFC 300. Gaethje won the then-vacant BMF belt by knocking out Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 last July.
Max Holloway hits back at Islam Makhachev's 'useless fight' comments ahead of UFC 300
Curtis Calhoun - April 9, 2024
Max Holloway took exception to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s recent mockery of his UFC 300 showdown with Justin Gaethje. Holloway will challenge Gaethje for the BMF title in a five-round matchup at UFC 300. This will be his second UFC lightweight appearance and a chance to add another belt to his résumé.
Dustin Poirier reveals UFC hasn't offered Islam Makhachev fight despite recent chatter: "I don't know what's next"
Josh Evanoff - April 9, 2024
Dustin Poirier expects the UFC to tell him soon if he’s going to fight Islam Makhachev or not. ‘The Diamond’ is fresh off a return to the ring last month at UFC 299 against Benoit Saint-Denis. Back for the first time since a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje last July, Dustin Poirier entered the bout as an underdog. For the first round, the former interim lightweight champion looked as such against ‘The God Of War’.
Justin Gaethje rules out potential quick turnaround to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 302: “We’ll see if Oliveira sh*ts the bed again”
Harry Kettle - April 8, 2024
Justin Gaethje has ruled out the idea of a quick turnaround to battle Islam Makhachev if he can get past Max Holloway. For the longest time now, Justin Gaethje has been recognized as one of the best fighters in the UFC. He’s incredibly entertaining, he has a list of highlight reel finishes, and he doesn’t know when to quit. At UFC 300, he will defend his BMF title for the first time when he takes on Max Holloway.
Max Holloway not ruling out fight against Islam Makhachev with UFC 300 win: "That would be a fun one"
Josh Evanoff - April 3, 2024
If Max Holloway can get through Justin Gaethje, he’s not opposed to a fight with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Later this month at UFC 300, ‘Blessed’ is slated to meet ‘The Highlight’ with ‘BMF’ gold on the line. The two stars will battle for five rounds over the ceremonial title. For Max Holloway, the fight will be a rare lightweight appearance up from featherweight. Many assumed that the Hawaiian would likely return to 145 pounds after this month.
Javier Mendez refutes Daniel Cormier's claim that Islam Makhachev is more dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov: “Nobody is more dangerous”
Harry Kettle - March 28, 2024
Coach Javier Mendez has disagreed with Daniel Cormier’s claim that Islam Makhachev is more dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov. Over the course of the last few years, Islam Makhachev has firmly established himself as the king of the lightweight division. Of course, prior to that, there was one man who stood tall above the rest at 155 pounds – his close friend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Charles Oliveira pushes back on Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier: "I'm next in line"
Josh Evanoff - March 27, 2024
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira doesn’t buy into talk of Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier. Over the last few weeks, the two lightweights have been going back and forth over a potential fight in June. It makes a little bit of sense, as ‘The Diamond’ has recently returned to the win column with a knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis. While Islam Makhachev isn’t excited about facing Dustin Poirier next, he wants to get active.
Dustin Poirier rejects the idea that he doesn't deserve to fight Islam Makhachev: "I've done more in this sport than he has"
Josh Evanoff - March 22, 2024
Dustin Poirier doesn’t want to hear any talk about how he doesn’t deserve to fight UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. ‘The Diamond’ is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC 299 earlier this month against Benoit Saint-Denis. Heading into the bout, Dustin Poirier was actually quite a heavy underdog. Having not competed since a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje, the former interim champion was out for blood against ‘The God Of War’.
Islam Makhachev pins blame on Alex Volkanovski's team for knockout loss to Ilia Topuria
Susan Cox - March 20, 2024
Islam Makhachev is pinning the blame on Alex Volkanovski’s team for the Aussie’s knockout loss to Ilia Topuria. It was last October at UFC 294 that saw Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA) get knocked out by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA).
Islam Makhachev confirms he was offered Leon Edwards super fight for UFC 300: “I’m very upset”
Susan Cox - March 18, 2024
Islam Makhachev has confirmed that he was offered a super fight with Leon Edwards for UFC 300. The historic UFC 300 takes place on Saturday April 13th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Arman Tsarukyan accuses Islam Makhachev of avoiding rematch: "He feels like I'm going to win"
Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan believes that Islam Makhachev doesn’t want to fight him. Back in April 2019, the Armenian stepped on short notice to face the rising Islam Makhachev. Despite being very young in his career, Arman Tsarukyan impressed many with his success against the future champion. Still, it was the Russian who claimed a unanimous decision victory after three rounds of action.
Islam Makhachev explains why he accepted Dustin Poirier fight despite ‘The Diamond’ being undeserving
Harry Kettle - March 15, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has explained why he’s open to defending his belt against Dustin Poirier. Last weekend at UFC 299, Dustin Poirier scored a beautiful knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis. The veteran overcame some early adversity and got it done in the second round, cementing himself as a real contender at 155 pounds once again.
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier seemingly agree to June title fight
Susan Cox - March 11, 2024
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier have seemingly agreed to a June 2024 title fight. Poirier (30-8 MMA) is flying high after knocking out Benoit Saint-Denis (13-2 MMA) this past Saturday night at UFC 299 in the ‘Sunshine State’ of Florida.
Ali Abdelaziz offers Dustin Poirier a title shot with Islam Makhachev following UFC 299
Cole Shelton - March 10, 2024
Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev says Dustin Poirier can get the next title shot following his knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299. Poirier was coming off a KO loss to Justin Gaethje back in July and took on Saint-Denis in a fight which he was the underdog in. After a first round in which Saint-Denis had a lot of success, Poirier landed a big uppercut and followed it up to get a KO win in the second round.
Ali Abdelaziz tells Dustin Poirier if he wins at UFC 299 he's fighting Islam Makhachev in June
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2024
Dustin Poirier could be fighting for a title shot on Saturday at UFC 299. Poirier is set to face Benoit Saint-Denis in the co-main event of UFC 299 in a highly-anticipated matchup. It’s also a crucial fight for Poirier due to the fact he is coming off a KO loss to Justin Gaethje. Despite the loss, Poirier is still a title contender at lightweight, and he could get a title shot with a win on Saturday.
Javier Mendez lays out future plans for UFC champion Islam Makhachev: "I’d love to see that"
Fernando Quiles - February 20, 2024
Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, will not be featured on the UFC 300 card, but his coach has an update. UFC 300 will feature a pivotal lightweight clash between former 155-pound titleholder Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. UFC CEO Dana White has claimed the bout will determine the number one contender for a shot at Makhachev’s lightweight gold. It’ll be interesting to see who who will emerge victorious to challenge Makhachev, but what is the Makhachev camp thinking in terms of the future?
Alexander Volkanovski reveals drinking habits prior to Islam Makhachev rematch
Harry Kettle - February 7, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has revealed the nature of his drinking habits prior to his rematch against Islam Makhachev. At UFC 298, Alexander Volkanovski returns to defend his belt against rising star Ilia Topuria. It comes just months after his short notice rematch against Islam Makhachev, which he lost via brutal head kick KO.