Islam Makhachev News
Alexander Volkanovski's coach believes Islam Makhachev is only "good at holding people down," says Ortega is more dangerous
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski’s grappling coach Craig Jones believes Brian Ortega is more dangerous on the ground than Islam Makhachev will be. Volkanovski defended his featherweight strap back in September of 2021 against Ortega in a fight he had to get out of multiple submission attempts. With that, Jones has confidence that Volkanovski will be able to handle Makhachev on the ground.
Islam Makhachev hits back at Bobby Green over steroids accusation: "I training hard, that’s why. That’s why he feel the power"
Josh Evanoff - February 9, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has hit back at Bobby Green‘s steroid accusations. The Russian is slated to headline UFC 284 this Saturday night against Alexander Volkanovski. The bout will be Makhachev’s first title defense since winning the title last October against Charles Oliveira. ‘Do Bronx’ wound up losing by second-round submission, ending his historic winning streak.
Islam Makhachev says he's "the best MMA fighter" in the world, despite Alexander Volkanovski being atop pound-for-pound rankings
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2023
Islam Makhachev isn’t sold on Alexander Volkanovski being the best fighter in the UFC. Volkanovski – who’s the current featherweight champion – is ranked number one on the UFC’s official pound-for-pound rankings. However, Makhachev who is defending his lightweight title in the main event of UFC 284 against Volkanovski believes he is the best fighter in the world and will prove that on Saturday.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev confirms his intentions of eventually competing at welterweight: “It's gonna happen one day”
Susan Cox - February 9, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is confirming his intentions of eventually competing at welterweight. The reigning lightweight champion is set to defend his title this coming Saturday, February 11th at UFC 284 which takes place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
UFC 284 | Pro fighters make their picks for Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski title fight
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2023
In the main event of UFC 284, Islam Makhachev looks to defend his lightweight title for the first time against featherweight champ, Alexander Volkanovski. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a -400 favorite while the Aussie is a +285 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros slightly lean towards Makhachev winning due to his size and strength but some do think Volkanovski can pull off the upset.
Islam Makhachev reacts after Dana White forgets his name ahead of UFC 284
Susan Cox - February 8, 2023
Islam Makhachev is reacting after Dana White forgets his name ahead of UFC 284. It was at the UFC Fight Night 218 post-fight news conference last weekend that UFC President Dana White stumbled when speaking about the upcoming UFC 284 event and Makhachev.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals plans to trash talk Islam Makhachev while in the Octagon at UFC 284: “I love seeing people's faces freak out like that”
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski plans on trying to get into Islam Makhachev’s head when they battle at UFC 284 this weekend. At UFC 284 in Australia, Alexander Volkanovski will attempt to make history. He will try and become a two-weight UFC champion, cementing his place as the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport in the process.
Dana White claims Islam Makhachev’s criticism regarding lack of promotion for UFC 284 was taken out of context: “Yeah, that’s not true”
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2023
UFC president Dana White has responded to Islam Makhachev’s comments regarding the promotion of UFC 284. This weekend, Alexander Volkanovski will move up to take on Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. In doing so, the promotion will be pitting the #1 and #2 fighters in the world against one another – arguably for the first time.
Henry Cejudo explains why he isn’t giving Alexander Volkanovski a chance in UFC 284 title fight with Islam Makhachev: “There’s nothing that Alexander can do”
Harry Kettle - February 7, 2023
Henry Cejudo has explained why he doesn’t like Alexander Volkanovski’s chances against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. This weekend, Alexander Volkanovski will dare to be great in his home country of Australia. He will take on Islam Makhachev with the UFC lightweight championship being on the line.
Islam Makhachev says Australia doesn't have wrestling, Alexander Volkanovski fires back: "I was actually the national champion"
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2023
Islam Makhachev doesn’t think Alexander Volkanovski will be able to keep up with his wrestling. In the main event of UFC 284, Makhachev is set to defend his lightweight title for the first time in Australia against Volkanovski. It’s an intriguing matchup but ahead of the fight, Makhachev is confident in his skills as he doesn’t think highly of Volkanovski’s wrestling ability.
Islam Makhachev wants to prove his striking skills with a KO of Alex Volkanovski, reveals who he wants to fight after UFC 284
Susan Cox - February 3, 2023
Islam Makhachev wants to prove his striking skills with a KO of Alex Volkanovski. It will be Islam Makhachev (23-1 MMA) vs Alexander Volkanovski (25-1 MMA) in the lightweight main event on Saturday, February 11th at UFC 284. With the championship on the line the two fighters will battle it out in the Octagon for the ultimate prize.
Islam Makhachev expresses disappointment in the lack of promotion for his UFC 284 title fight with Alex Volkanovski
Harry Kettle - February 3, 2023
Islam Makhachev has expressed his concern at the lack of promotion for his UFC 284 main event against Alex Volkanovski. Next weekend in Australia, the UFC will host a fascinating main event clash between Islam Makhachev and Alex Volkanovski. The meeting will see the lightweight and featherweight champion collide for the strap at 155 pounds.
Alexander Volkanovski "surprised" Khabib won't be in Islam Makhachev's corner at UFC 284, but doesn't want that as an excuse when he wins
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski admits he was surprised to hear that Khabib Nurmagomedov wouldn’t be cornering Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. Makhachev will be looking to defend his lightweight belt for the first time when he takes on the promotions reigning featherweight champ in Volkanovski at UFC 284. In the lead-up to the highly anticipated super-fight, it was revealed that Khabib Nurmagomedov had decided to step away from MMA and wouldn’t be in the corner of Makhachev in Australia.
Islam Makhachev not worried about fighting without Khabib at UFC 284
Andrew Whitelaw - February 1, 2023
When the cage door slams shut on Islam Makhachev for his UFC 284 clash with Alexander Volkanovski in Perth this month, the Dagestani will be without Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner. ‘The Eagle’ has mentored the UFC lightweight champion for the majority of his career and has helped oversee the 31-year-old’s incredible 11-fight winning streak that culminated in Makhachev sealing the 155 lb title at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi.
Hasbulla makes prediction for Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284
Andrew Whitelaw - February 1, 2023
Hasbulla has had his say on Islam Makhachev’s upcoming UFC lightweight title defence against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284. The bout will be the Dagestani’s first defence of his title since he won it at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi by submitting Charles Oliveira. The 31-year-old has been close to Hasbulla for a long-time, “He’s my neighbour. He was really very close with me. I know him like, more than 10 years,” Makhachev told BT Sport in 2021.
Alexander Volkanovski believes Islam Makhachev underestimating him heading into UFC 284: "That face quickly changes when I’m in the octagon"
Josh Evanoff - January 26, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski believes Islam Makhachev is underestimating him. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since his trilogy bout with Max Holloway last July. In that outing at UFC 276, Volkanovski dominated en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory. In the process, closing the chapter on his rivalry with ‘Blessed’ at three victories to none.
Chael Sonnen believes that Islam Makhachev could retire regardless of the outcome at UFC 284
Zain Bando - January 13, 2023
Chael Sonnen is anticipating that Islam Makhachev could retire regardless of the outcome at UFC 284 in February. Makhachev won the UFC lightweight title with an upset over Charles Oliveira in October of 2022, thus kickstarting a new era at 155 pounds. He’ll defend his lightweight title against featherweight superstar, Alexander Volkanovski. With the news of Khabib Nurmagomedov completely removing himself from the sport of MMA, per multiple reports, Sonnen believes that it’s entirely possible that one of Nurmagomedov’s pupils could follow suite and find a new chapter in their professional life. With the news surrounding Nurmagomedov, Makhachev will not see the former lightweight champion in his corner come fight night.
Charles Oliveira targeting return in March or April to earn rematch against Islam Makhachev: "I'm one fight away from him"
Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2023
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is gearing up for a busy year. ‘Do Bronx’ has been out of action since his lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 in October. The Brazilian was famously previously stripped of his 155-pound championship in May, prior to a title defense against Justin Gaethje.