Islam Makhachev News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 28, 2026

Jon Jones has an idea of who he thinks will walk out of UFC 330 with welterweight gold. Reigning 170-pound titleholder Islam Makhachev is scheduled to attempt his first successful defense in the division when he takes on Ian Machado Garry on Aug. 15. The two will compete inside Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. It’ll be Garry’s first shot at the UFC Welterweight Championship.

Harry Kettle - June 26, 2026

UFC analyst Din Thomas believes that Ian Machado Garry is a dangerous opponent for UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. At UFC 330, Islam Makhachev will defend the UFC welterweight championship against Ian Machado Garry. For the Irishman, this is a moment he has been waiting for – and it’s something that he has been building towards throughout the course of his entire career.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 24, 2026

Could Ian Machado Garry present more problems to Islam Makhachev than most are anticipating? Garry is set to compete for UFC gold for the first time in his pro MMA career. He’s scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title in the UFC 330 main event on Aug. 15. That event will mark UFC’s return to Philadelphia, and the Xfinity Mobile Arena will play host.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 23, 2026

Ian Machado Garry believes a win over Islam Makhachev would do good for the UFC welterweight division. Garry and Makhachev are set to collide with the 170-pound gold at stake on Aug. 15. The title fight will headline UFC 330 inside the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. It’ll be “The Future’s” first UFC title shot and Makhachev’s first attempt at a successful welterweight championship defense.

Harry Kettle - June 22, 2026

UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry has issued a warning to reigning champion Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 330. Later this summer, Ian Machado Garry finally gets his shot at gold in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He will take on Islam Makhachev, the reigning king at 170 pounds, and many believe he has what it takes to actually dethrone the champ and bring a title back to Ireland.

Harry Kettle - June 19, 2026

Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria’s big defeat at UFC Freedom 250 last weekend. Last Sunday, Ilia Topuria fell to his first professional loss in mixed martial arts at the hands of Justin Gaethje. It was a pretty emphatic defeat, and although Ilia certainly had his moments, which included nearly stopping Gaethje in the second round, it was ultimately a poor showing for someone who we have come to expect excellence from.

Curtis Calhoun - June 17, 2026

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev’s first title defense headlines the promotion’s long-awaited return to Philadelphia. After Ilia Topuria’s shocking loss at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday, UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev remains at the top of the heap of the pound-for-pound rankings. Makhachev became the UFC’s latest two-division titleholder when he defeated Jack Della Maddalena to win the welterweight title last year at UFC 322.

Curtis Calhoun - June 15, 2026

Former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is the latest to taunt Ilia Topuria following the latter’s stunning loss at the White House. For the first time in his otherwise legendary UFC career, Ilia Topuria left the Octagon without his hand raised, as he lost his lightweight belt to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250. It was a shocking end to a star-studded card on the White House lawn, capped off by an instant classic between Topuria and Gaethje before Topuria’s corner opted to stop the fight just before Round 5.

Curtis Calhoun - June 1, 2026

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev made an extremely ill fan’s ‘dream come true’ in a recent FaceTime call, and offered him a huge surprise. Islam Makhachev is expected to return to the Octagon later this year against one of several intriguing young welterweight contenders. UFC 330, set to take place in Philadelphia, PA, on August 15th, is expected to be headlined by Makhachev’s first welterweight title defense.

Harry Kettle - June 1, 2026

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has said he will be ready to make his return to the cage later this summer. Even at this point in his career, Islam Makhachev is already being talked about as one of the best fighters to ever put on a pair of gloves in the Octagon. He has achieved some wonderful things throughout the course of his run in the UFC, and it certainly doesn’t seem like he is finished just yet.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 31, 2026

Islam Makhachev has no issue with Conor McGregor making his comeback. McGregor is set to return to the Octagon in the UFC 329 main event on July 11. He will face Max Holloway in a rematch. The two first did battle back in 2013 and it was the “Notorious” one who earned the unanimous decision win.

Curtis Calhoun - May 28, 2026

Former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev believes Justin Gaethje can shock the world against Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250. UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria will look to remain unbeaten in his professional MMA career when he faces Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 next month at the White House. Topuria vs. Gaethje headlines a stacked seven-fight card, featuring an interim heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane.

Harry Kettle - May 27, 2026

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria does not believe that welterweight king Islam Makhachev is ducking a fight against him. At UFC Freedom 250, Ilia Topuria will defend the UFC lightweight championship against Justin Gaethje. The overwhelming expectation is that he will secure yet another vicious knockout win and keep his incredible run going, but of course, looking past someone like Gaethje is a very risky thing to do.

Curtis Calhoun - May 25, 2026

Former UFC light heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic will look to make Islam Makhachev proud in his upcoming UFC Serbia return. Aleksandar Rakic is looking to earn his first UFC win since 2021 when he returns to the Octagon later this year. After four years of a career plagued by injuries and lopsided defeats, Rakic will make a big change as he looks to return to the win column.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 20, 2026

King Green is not a fan of how Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev handle business inside the Octagon. Green is known for his willingness to enter the fire in his UFC bouts, and it has earned him four “Fight of the Night” bonuses and three “Performance of the Night” bonuses, which becomes four if you include his lone “Submission of the Night.” At times, Green’s style has cost him with KO losses to the likes of Mauricio Ruffy and Jalin Turner, but he’s been able to bounce back from defeat several times.

Curtis Calhoun - May 6, 2026

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev made a direct plea to one light heavyweight contender to fight at UFC Serbia. The UFC is looking at moving into new markets later in 2026 and beyond. It’s been reported by multiple outlets recently that the UFC is finalizing an upcoming Fight Night event in Serbia, marking the first time the promotion will host an event in the country.

Curtis Calhoun - May 5, 2026

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev could allow a rising contender to skip the line for a title shot in his return to the cage. Rising UFC welterweight contender Carlos Prates made an intriguing case for a title shot with a brutal finish of Jack Della Maddalena last weekend at UFC Perth. After Makhachev won the belt in November at UFC 322, several top names made cases for the next shot at the belt, including former Prates foe Ian Machado Garry.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 3, 2026

Islam Makhachev will have his way with Ian Machado Garry if Sean Brady’s prediction comes to fruition. Makhachev’s first UFC Welterweight Championship defense hasn’t been made official, but many are expecting Garry to get the call for a title bout. One can’t ignore the possibility that Michael Morales or Carlos Prates have impressed UFC officials enough to get that opportunity instead.