Islam Makhachev News
Islam Makhachev shuts down Charles Oliveira's complaint about fighting in Abu Dhabi: "Makes no sense"
Josh Evanoff - October 2, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has responded to Charles Oliveira. The two are currently set to rematch at UFC 294 later this month, in Abu Dhabi. The fight takes place just a year after their first fight at UFC 280. Last October, Islam Makhachev scored a second-round submission win over Charles Oliveira to win the vacant lightweight gold.
Ali Abdelaziz slams the UFC rankings following Islam Makhachev’s recent descent on the P4P list
Harry Kettle - September 26, 2023
Ali Abdelaziz has hit out at the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings as a result of Islam Makhachev’s position in the list. Next month, Islam Makhachbev will defend his UFC lightweight championship against Charles Oliveira in a rematch of their title collision last year. It comes after a superfight against Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year and while it was a tight and competitive affair, Makhachev was the one who had his hand raised when all was said and done.
Colby Covington says no one at welterweight is "deserving" of a title shot, eyes first title defense against Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - September 21, 2023
Colby Covington doesn’t think anybody at welterweight deserves a title fight. Covington is set to fight Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 296 for the welterweight title on Dec. 16. It’s a big fight and in the lead-up, ‘Chaos’ is confident he will become the champ with a stoppage win over Edwards.
Islam Makhachev's coach reveals what improvements they expect from Charles Oliveira at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2023
Islam Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez has revealed what improvements they expect to see from Charles Oliveira at UFC 294. Last year, Islam Makhachev became the UFC lightweight champion by submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. Now, one year later, the two will run it back as ‘Do Bronx’ attempts to reclaim the gold he lost.
Charles Oliveira explains why he won't trash talk Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 294 rematch: "I made a mistake"
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2023
Charles Oliveira says he won’t be trash-talking Islam Makhachev ahead of their rematch like he did in the first fight. Oliveira and Makhachev fought last October and it was the Dagestani native who won by second-round submission in a one-sided fight. It was a coming-out party of sorts for Makhachev, but Oliveira admits he didn’t fight to his ability.
Dillon Danis says he would "kill" Islam Makhachev inside two rounds if they fought: "I submit him"
Cole Shelton - August 29, 2023
Dillon Danis has never been shy to share how he would do against certain fighters. Danis has been vocal in interviews and on social media that he feels like he is the best fighter and would have a lot of success against fighters even outside of his weight class. So, when he was asked by the Nelk Boys on their latest YouTube video how he thinks he would fare against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, he believes he would get the win
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.
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.
Dana White announces main and co-main event of UFC 294 including Islam Makhachev's title defense
Cole Shelton - July 19, 2023
UFC president Dana White has announced the main and co-main event of UFC 294 which is set to take place on October 21 in Abu Dhabi. White announced on social media on Wednesday night that in the main event, Islam Makhachev will be looking to defend his lightweight title as he rematches Charles Oliveira. The two fought last October in Abu Dhabi and it was Makhachev winning by second-round submission to become the new UFC lightweight champion.
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.
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.
Alex Volkanovski vows to defeat Islam Makhachev in potential UFC rematch: "I guarantee I get my hand raised"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 9, 2023
Alex Volkanovski believes there’s no doubt he will avenge his loss against UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev. Back in February, Volkanovski vs. Makhachev headlined UFC 284. It was Alex Volkanovski who was moving up in weight to challenge for the 155-pound gold. Outside of his one career loss back in 2015, Makhachev has looked mostly dominant. While he had a competitive bout against Arman Tsarukyan, Islam Makhachev’s toughest test came against Alex “The Great.”
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.
Charles Oliveira's coach predicts KO win over Islam Makhachev in UFC title rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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 describes previous training sessions with UFC heavyweight contender Sergei Pavlovich: “He has crazy strength”
Harry Kettle - June 20, 2023
Islam Makhachev has explained what it felt like to train with Sergei Pavlovich as he continues his rise in the UFC. There’s always been a certain intrigue around the UFC’s heavyweight division. The baddest men on the planet have often fought there, including the likes of Francis Ngannou, Cain Velasquez, Stipe Miocic, and more.