Islam Makhachev News

Curtis Calhoun - April 7, 2026

Ian Machado Garry continues to question Islam Makhachev’s alleged hand injury after an online back-and-forth with Ilia Topuria. UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev and lightweight titleholder Ilia Topuria continue to go back and forth on why a superfight wasn’t finalized for the promotion’s upcoming White House card. Topuria will headline the event opposite Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout, but Makhachev was the rumored opponent for Topuria for months.

Curtis Calhoun - April 6, 2026

According to UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, Ilia Topuria is to blame for their superfight not coming to fruition at the White House. UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria will headline the promotion’s White House event against interim titleholder Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June. After months of UFC CEO Dana White teasing one of the ‘biggest cards in UFC history’, Topuria vs. Gaethje will look to deliver on lofty pre-event expectations.

Harry Kettle - March 31, 2026

UFC commentator Jon Anik has made a case for Ian Machado Garry challenging for the UFC welterweight championship next. As we know, Islam Makhachev is expected to defend the UFC welterweight title at some point later this year. However, it’s not clear as to who exactly he’s going to face – although Ian Machado Garry definitely seems to be one of the names that is getting brought up more often than not.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 25, 2026

Islam Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has put the blame on Ilia Topuria for not agreeing to a super fight. Topuria’s manager Malki Kawa recently claimed that his fighter wasn’t satisfied with the money he was offered to fight Makhachev at UFC Freedom 250. UFC CEO Dana White responded by claiming Makhachev is dealing with a hand issue.

Curtis Calhoun - March 23, 2026

UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry continues to question whether or not Islam Makhachev is actually injured. Arguably, the most exciting UFC division is welterweight, led by the legendary Islam Makhachev at the top of the heap. Several marquee contenders, including Ian Machado Garry and Michael Morales, are in the mix for a potential welterweight title shot.

Curtis Calhoun - March 19, 2026

According to one UFC star, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev aren’t doing enough to advocate for their fighting colleagues. UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov continues to make an impact after his fighting career, including his development of some of the top talents in Mixed Martial Arts. Nurmagomedov’s top protege, Islam Makhachev, recently won the UFC welterweight championship to accomplish a feat that Nurmagomedov couldn’t during his run to the UFC Hall of Fame.

Curtis Calhoun - March 16, 2026

UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry believes Islam Makhachev is intentionally delaying a potential title fight. UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev was pitched as a potential headliner for the upcoming White House card, opposite the likes of Ilia Topuria or Kamaru Usman. But Makhachev continues to recover from a hand injury suffered shortly after his fight with Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last year.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 12, 2026

Ilia Topuria will not be facing Islam Makhachev at UFC Freedom 250, but he’d be an “exceptional” challenge if the bout ever materializes. That’s what Colby Covington believes, as he told MMAJunkie that he feels Topuria vs. Makhachev is the matchup to make down the road.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 10, 2026

Islam Makhachev caught wind of Ilia Topuria’s lengthy social media post and he delivered a fiery response. After UFC announced its “Freedom 250” card, rumors spread claiming that Makhachev vs. Topuria was planned for a clash at the White House on June 14. Ultimately, UFC booked Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje in an undisputed lightweight title fight.

Harry Kettle - March 2, 2026

UFC welterweight Ian Machado Garry has provided an update on a possible clash between him and Islam Makhachev. For the longest time now, Ian Machado Garry has been working his way up through the welterweight division with the intention of eventually becoming world champion. Outside of a narrow loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov, in which he impressed a lot of people, he hasn’t really had too many setbacks since joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 26, 2026

Kamaru Usman doesn’t know for sure if he’ll be fighting Islam Makhachev next, but perhaps the door is closing. Usman and Makhachev have expressed mutual interest in sharing the Octagon. Makhachev is the reigning UFC Welterweight Champion, while “The Nigerian Nightmare” once ruled the 170-pound weight class.

Curtis Calhoun - February 24, 2026

UFC welterweight champ Islam Makhachev wants Usman Nurmagomedov to consider re-signing with the PFL before pondering a UFC move. PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, is set to become a free agent later this year with one more fight on his current contract. While the PFL is expected to make Nurmagomedov a lucrative offer to extend his deal, he could potentially be a top UFC target when his free agency officially kicks off.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 20, 2026

Islam Makhachev isn’t sold on Ilia Topuria being a threat to him in the 170-pound division. Makhachev and Topuria have yet to cross paths inside the Octagon. After capturing the UFC Featherweight Championship and successfully defending the gold against Max Holloway, “El Matador” moved up in weight to challenge for the vacant lightweight title. Makhachev relinquished the 155-pound gold to pursue the welterweight championship.

Harry Kettle - February 20, 2026

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has reacted to Ian Machado Garry going to Georgia to train. Right now, Islam Makhachev sits at the top of the mountain as one of the best pound for pound fighters in mixed martial arts. He has proven that time and time again throughout the course of his career, and most recently, he took another step towards immortality by winning his second world title in the UFC in the welterweight division.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 19, 2026

If Ian Machado Garry is next up for Islam Makhachev, then Javier Mendez doesn’t expect “The Future” to last on the ground. Makhachev captured the UFC Welterweight Championship back in Nov. 2025. His dominant performance against Jack Della Maddalena left many wondering who would be worthy of a title opportunity. While Makhachev prefers to face former 170-pound titleholder Kamaru Usman, other contenders such as Garry have emerged.

Harry Kettle - February 17, 2026

Jack Della Maddalena has revealed his desire to one day earn a rematch against UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. Back at UFC 322, Jack Della Maddalena’s brief stint as UFC welterweight champion came to an end at the hands of Islam Makhachev. He was defeated in a fairly one-sided title bout, and ever since then, many have wondered what exactly could be next for the Australian sensation in the UFC.

Harry Kettle - February 16, 2026

Arman Tsarukyan has conceded that Islam Makhachev was previously the only lightweight who could outwrestle him. Right now, Arman Tsarukyan feels like the number one contender in waiting at 155 pounds. Unfortunately, he wasn’t given the chance to shine at UFC 324 in the interim lightweight title fight, and instead, Justin Gaethje took advantage of his opportunity and became the champ. Now, he’s expected to go on and face Ilia Topuria to unify the titles, perhaps at the White House this summer.

Harry Kettle - February 13, 2026

UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski has taken the time to reflect on his famous first fight against Islam Makhachev. As we know, Alexander Volkanovski is one of the greatest fighters of his generation – and that much is obvious. ‘The Great’ has done some wonderful things throughout the course of his mixed martial arts career, including becoming a two-time champion at 145 pounds. In his most recent outing, he was able to defeat Diego Lopes for a second time to retain his championship.