Islam Makhachev News
Islam Makhachev says Michael Chandler’s claims for a title shot are ridiculous: “Fight with young and hungry guys like Tsarukyan or Dober first”
Susan Cox - October 11, 2022
Islam Makhachev is saying Michael Chandler’s claims for a title shot are ridiculous. Michael Chandler, 36, has one thing on his mind and that is getting another shot at the UFC lightweight belt.
Islam Makhachev is confident he will be able to score a knockdown against Charles Oliveira: “His last three or four opponents, they knock him down”
Harry Kettle - October 11, 2022
Islam Makhachev believes he’ll be able to knock Charles Oliveira down when they collide in the main event of UFC 280. Next weekend at UFC 280, Islam Makhachev will finally get the chance to become UFC lightweight champion when he challenges Charles Oliveira in Abu Dhabi. While the Brazilian isn’t technically the champ, his insane 11-fight win streak – as well as the names he’s beaten since first competing for the gold – has left many believing that he is the best 155-pounder in the world right now.
Hasbulla set to corner Islam Makhachev for his lightweight title fight against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2022
Hasbulla will be in the corner of Islam Makhachev at UFC 280. Makhachev is set to headline the pay-per-view card on October 22 in Abu Dhabi for the vacant lightweight title against Charles Oliveira. It’s a massive fight for Makhachev and he will have an interesting addition to his corner. Although Javier Mendez and Khabib Nurmagomedov will be in his corner, as usual, he will also have Hasbulla, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz.
Alexander Volkanovski confirms backup status for Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev at UFC 280: "We're locked in"
Josh Evanoff - October 10, 2022
Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is now the backup fighter for UFC 280’s headliner. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since his trilogy bout with Max Holloway at UFC 276 in July. In that outing, Volkanovski moved to 3-0 in his trilogy with the Hawaiian, as he won by unanimous decision.
Charles Oliveira responds after Islam Makhachev expresses concern over UFC 280 title fight: "Calm down, dad is coming"
Chris Taylor - October 8, 2022
Charles Oliveira has responded after Islam Makhachev expressed concern that their UFC 280 title fight may not come to fruition. Oliveira (33-8 MMA) and Makhachev (22-1 MMA) are set to collide for the promotions vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on October 22nd.
Justin Gaethje says he hopes Charles Oliveira "beats up" Islam Makhachev at UFC 280
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2022
Justin Gaethje hopes Charles Oliveira beats up Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 to become the lightweight champ again. Gaethje is coming off a submission loss to Oliveira at UFC 274. ‘Do Bronx’ had narrowly missed weight for that contest and was thus stripped of the promotions 155lbs title. He’s now set to face Makhachev for the vacant title in a highly-anticipated scrap and a fight many are torn on who will win.
Islam Makhachev responds after Michael Chandler suggests his praise is premature
Harry Kettle - September 27, 2022
Islam Makhachev has used social media to laugh off recent criticism from fellow UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler. Next month at UFC 280, Islam Makhachev will finally attempt to capture the UFC lightweight championship when he battles Charles Oliveira for the strap in a highly-anticipated main event clash.
Michael Chandler takes aim at "premature praise" for Islam Makhachev: "We just can’t say that he’s that good yet"
Josh Evanoff - September 26, 2022
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler believes we need to pump the breaks on praise for Islam Makhachev. The Russian has been out of action since his first-round TKO over Bobby Green in February. That victory, along with wins over names such as Dan Hooker and Arman Tsarukyan, has secured him a title shot. Makhachev is set to face Charles Oliveira next month at UFC 280 with vacant lightweight gold on the line.
Beneil Dariush reveals he's the likely backup for UFC 280 lightweight title fight: "If something goes wrong, they'd put me in"
Josh Evanoff - September 15, 2022
UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush could fight for gold sooner than expected. The 33-year-old has been out of action since his decision victory over Tony Ferguson last May. Since that time, Dariush has had a failed booking with Islam Makhachev. The matchup was viewed as a title-eliminator but was canceled after the Iranian fighter suffered an injury.
Islam Makhachev details how he plans to finish Charles Oliveira in Round 3 at UFC 280
Harry Kettle - September 15, 2022
Islam Makhachev has explained how he plans to finish Charles Oliveira in their UFC lightweight title fight at UFC 280. For the longest time now fans have been waiting to see Islam Makhachev get a crack at the UFC lightweight championship and next month in Abu Dhabi, he’ll finally get the opportunity to wear gold for the first time.
Dana White open to Alex Volkanovski serving as the backup for Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev at UFC 280
Harry Kettle - September 14, 2022
UFC president Dana White is open to the idea of Alex Volkanovski serving as the back-up fighter for the UFC 280 main event. For the last couple of years, Alex Volkanovski has been proving himself as one of the best fighters in all of mixed martial arts. The reigning UFC featherweight champion has seen off the challenge of everyone the promotion has put in his way including The Korean Zombie, Brian Ortega and even Max Holloway.
Islam Makhachev believes Leon Edwards got “lucky” with head kick KO of Kamaru Usman
Harry Kettle - August 31, 2022
Islam Makhachev has given his thoughts on Leon Edwards‘ fantastic knockout win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. This October at UFC 280, Islam Makhachev will take part in the biggest fight of his career as he prepares to battle Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight championship. The contest is set to go down in Abu Dhabi and while Makhachev has been tipped to become a world champion for a long time, Oliveira will almost certainly serve as the toughest test he’s faced to date inside the Octagon.
Charles Oliveira says Islam Makhachev refused to fight him in Brazil in January: "They took it where they wanted"
Cole Shelton - August 25, 2022
Charles Oliveira says the original plan was to have his vacant lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev headline UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in January. The UFC announced they are set to return to Brazil in January and according to Oliveira, he was supposed to face Makhachev on the card. However, according to the former lightweight champ, he claims Makhachev refused to go to Brazil and rather pleaded to have the fight in Abu Dhabi, which is where it will now take place.
Paddy Pimblett shares prediction for Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev at UFC 280: “I just think he's got too many tools in his arsenal”
Susan Cox - August 15, 2022
Paddy Pimblett is sharing his prediction for Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev at UFC 280. The lightweight title bout will take place on Saturday, October 22nd at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Oliveira (33-8 MMA) will enter the Octagon to fight Makhachev (22-1 MMA) for the vacant lightweight belt.
Alexander Volkanovski offers to be backup fighter for Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev
Josh Evanoff - August 11, 2022
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is serious about his move to lightweight. ‘The Great’ is fresh off his decision victory over Max Holloway at UFC 276 last month. The win moved Volkanovski to 3-0 in his series with ‘Blessed’. Following the bout, the Australian made it clear he wants to move up to lightweight.
Josh Thomson shares prediction for Islam Makhachev vs Charles Oliveira title fight at UFC 280: “I think he's gonna get submitted”
Susan Cox - August 11, 2022
Josh Thomson has shared his prediction for the Islam Makhachev vs Charles Oliveira title fight at UFC 280. It will be on October 22nd at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates that Makhachev (22-1 MMA) will meet Oliveira (33-8 MMA) in the lightweight main event.
Conor McGregor plays tweet and delete after taking a shot at Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - August 11, 2022
Conor McGregor is back to the old tweet and delete trick after taking a shot at Islam Makhachev earlier this week. One thing we know to be true about Conor McGregor is that he’s pretty good at getting under people’s skin – and that he also seems to enjoy it quite a bit. The Irishman tends to come out with some random stuff on social media from time to time and more often than not, it’s concentrated on some of his rivals in the mixed martial arts world.
Islam Makhachev explains why he's "very upset" that Charles Oliviera is the champion "in my division"
Cole Shelton - August 10, 2022
Islam Makhachev is not a fan of Charles Oliveira and is upset that the Brazilian was the lightweight champ. Makhachev and Oliveira are set to headline UFC 280 for the vacant lightweight title after Oliveira was stripped of the belt for missing weight back at UFC 274. The fight is massive for both men’s legacy and Makhachev has vowed to make it look easy.