Islam Makhachev News
Islam Makhachev addresses speculation of a Staph infection ahead of UFC 302
Curtis Calhoun - May 30, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is at the center of a UFC 302 fight week controversy after images spread online of a possible staph infection. Makhachev will defend the UFC lightweight title against two-time lineal title challenger Dustin Poirier on Saturday in Newark. Makhachev returns after back-to-back successful title defenses against Alexander Volkanovski in 2023, including a knockout in October.
WATCH | Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier get into intense faceoff after UFC 302 press conference
Cole Shelton - May 30, 2024
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier got into a heated and intense faceoff after the UFC 302 press conference on Thursday. Makhachev is looking to defend his lightweight title in the main event of the pay-per-view card on Saturday in New Jersey against Poirier. In the lead-up to the fight, both men have vowed to finish the other, and after the press conference, the two got into a lengthy and heated faceoff.
Islam Makhachev reflects on sparring session with UFC champion Leon Edwards: "I took him down and held him"
Josh Evanoff - May 30, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is opening up on his experience training with Leon Edwards. This Saturday night in New Jersey, the Russian is set to headline UFC 302. Standing in Islam Makhachev’s way is longtime contender and former interim champion, Dustin Poirier. Heading into the contest, the lightweight champion has been upfront about the fact that he’s already looking to 170 pounds.
Michael Bisping calls Islam Makhachev a better version of Khabib Nurmagomedov ahead of UFC 302: "New, improved"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 30, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping believes fight fans are witnessing the evolved version of Khabib Nurmagomedov in Islam Makhachev. Makhachev is scheduled to put his UFC Lightweight Championship at stake against Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302. The 155-pound titleholder is gunning for his third successful title defense when he meets “The Diamond” inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this Saturday night (June 1st).
Dustin Poirier explains why he doesn't focus on Islam Makhachev's one KO loss
Harry Kettle - May 30, 2024
UFC star Dustin Poirier has explained why he doesn’t put too much stock in Islam Makhachev’s one loss in mixed martial arts. This weekend, Dustin Poirier will challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. In the eyes of many, this could well serve as his final shot at the undisputed belt. He’s tried a few times prior to this and came up short, but this time around, the belief is that he could retire regardless of whether he wins or loses.
Kevin Holland explains why he believes "scary guy" Islam Makhachev would become welterweight champ if he moves up
Cole Shelton - May 29, 2024
Kevin Holland believes Islam Makhachev would become the welterweight champion if he decided to move up in weight. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion and is set to defend his belt in the main event of UFC 302 against Dustin Poirier. Should Makhachev win, he has hinted at moving up in weight and going to welterweight to try for champ-champ status.
Conor McGregor accuses Islam Makhachev of pre-UFC 302 Staph infection: 'Wash your f***** self!'
Curtis Calhoun - May 29, 2024
Conor McGregor’s latest accusations aimed at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev add another storyline to UFC 302 fight week. Makhachev will defend the UFC lightweight title against Dustin Poirier this weekend in the UFC 302 main event. He returns to the Octagon after back-to-back successful title defenses against Alexander Volkanovski in 2023.
Islam Makhachev takes aim at Dustin Poirier's confidence ahead of UFC 302: "He doesn't believe he can beat me"
Josh Evanoff - May 29, 2024
UFC champion Islam Makhachev believes he’s the greatest fighter on the planet heading into his fight with Dustin Poirier. The Russian is set to fight this Saturday for the first time since a knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski in October. There, Islam Makhachev will meet longtime contender, and former interim champion, Dustin Poirier. For his part, ‘The Diamond’ is fresh off a second-round stoppage victory over Benoit Saint-Denis in February.
Islam Makhachev invites Charles Oliveira to join his camp for wrestling lessons ahead of potential Colby Covington showdown
Curtis Calhoun - May 29, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev wants to help Charles Oliveira deal with Colby Covington and other elite wrestlers. Makhachev will face Dustin Poirier in the UFC 302 main event this Saturday in Newark. He returns to defend the undisputed UFC lightweight title after back-to-back wins against Alexander Volkanovski in 2023.
Michael Bisping believes Dustin Poirier’s MMA resume “smokes” that of Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2024
UFC commentator Michael Bisping believes that Dustin Poirier has a far better resume in MMA than Islam Makhachev. This weekend, Dustin Poirier will attempt to finally win the big one. He is set to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship in the main event of UFC 302. He’s tried and failed to win the strap on two separate occasions, falling to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.
Islam Makhachev reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov will be in his corner for UFC 302: "Eagle has landed in Jersey City"
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will have Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner for his title defense at UFC 302 on Saturday. Makhachev is set to headline UFC 302 against Dustin Poirier, and on Tuesday, he revealed that Nurmagomedov is now in New Jersey and will be in his corner on Saturday night. Nurmagomedov had stepped away from fighting and coaching in MMA, but he is set to return and will be in Makhachev’s corner at UFC 302.
Islam Makhachev claims Arman Tsarukyan "should thank" him for jumpstarting his UFC career
Curtis Calhoun - May 28, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev feels partially responsible for Arman Tsarukyan’s success inside the Octagon. Makhachev will face Dustin Poirier in his next UFC lightweight title defense at UFC 302 this Saturday in Newark. He returns after defeating Alexander Volkanovski in back-to-back fights in 2023.
Islam Makhachev calls UFC 302 opponent Dustin Poirier a surefire UFC Hall of Famer: "One of the legends of our sport"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 28, 2024
Islam Makhachev has glowing praise for Dustin Poirier ahead of their lightweight title fight at UFC 302. Makhachev and Poirier will be all business when the Octagon door closes this Saturday night (June 1st), but that doesn’t mean there isn’t mutual respect. Poirier has been complimentary of the 155-pound king, and Makhachev is returning the favor.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals UFC 302 prediction for Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier: "It's a hard fight for anybody"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 27, 2024
Alexander Volkanovski has shared his pick for the UFC 302 main event between lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier. Makhachev and Poirier will collide inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this Saturday night. Many believe that this could be Poirier’s last chance at undisputed UFC gold. He will be the underdog going up against Makhachev, but he certainly figures to be a favorite with the fans who will pack the arena on June 1st.
Charles Oliveira predicts Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier, scoffs at Arman Tsarukyan's chances against UFC Lightweight Champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 26, 2024
Charles Oliveira doesn’t think Dustin Poirier or Arman Tsarukyan will be able to unseat Islam Makhachev. Makhachev is scheduled to put his UFC Lightweight Championship at stake against “The Diamond” in the main event of UFC 302 inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The action takes place on Saturday, June 1st.
Islam Makhachev will decide where Dustin Poirier fight goes at UFC 302, says coach Javier Mendez
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 26, 2024
American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez believes that Islam Makhachev will dictate where his fight with Dustin Poirier goes. Makhachev is scheduled to put the UFC Lightweight Championship on the line against “The Diamond” in the main event of UFC 302 on June 1st. The action is being held inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Makhachev is in search of a third successful title defense, while Poirier looks to capture undisputed UFC gold for the first time in his career, and this could be his last chance.
Conor McGregor takes aim at Islam Makhachev, Team Khabib in deleted tweets: 'Cousin f****s'
Curtis Calhoun - May 22, 2024
UFC superstar Conor McGregor continued his crusade against Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Dagestan in recent tweets. McGregor will return to the UFC Octagon to face Michael Chandler in a welterweight headliner on June 29 at UFC 303. He returns after a long hiatus from fighting, hoping to recapture the magic that once made him one of the sport’s indomitable forces.
Dustin Poirier shares violent prediction for UFC 302 title fight against Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - May 21, 2024
Dustin Poirier has shared a violent prediction for his UFC 302 title fight against Islam Makhachev. Poirier is set for his third crack at the UFC’s undisputed lightweight title as he takes on Makhachev on June 1 in the main event of UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey.