Islam Makhachev News
Brendan Schaub explains why taking a chance on Bobby Green to beat Islam Makhachev is not a “terrible idea”
Susan Cox - February 22, 2022
Brendan Schaub has taken to Twitter to explain who his thinks could win in the upcoming matchup between Bobby Green and Islam Makhachev. Bobby Green (29-12 MMA) and Islam Makhachev (21-1 MMA) will meet in the Octagon this coming Saturday, February 26th at UFC Vegas 49 in Nevada.
Bobby Green explains why he took Islam Makhachev fight: "I'm not crazy, I'm f*cking nuts"
Josh Evanoff - February 21, 2022
Bobby Green accepted a fight with Islam Makhachev on ten days’ notice to prove something to fans. ‘King’ competed earlier this month at UFC 271 against Nasrat Haqparast, winning via unanimous decision. Just days after the win, he got an offer to fight Islam Makhachev in his first main event after Beneil Dariush withdrew. Green accepted the fight on just ten days’ notice.
Chael Sonnen perplexed by the UFC’s decision to have Bobby Green fight Islam Makhachev at a catchweight: “The whole thing is just goofy”
Harry Kettle - February 21, 2022
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has questioned the UFC’s decision to make Islam Makhachev vs Bobby Green a catchweight bout. This Saturday night at UFC Vegas 49, Bobby Green will get his main event opportunity on short notice when he locks horns with Islam Makhachev. The Russian star was initially supposed to take on Beneil Dariush but after an injury ruled the latter out, Green decided to step up to the plate and take a chance on himself.
Michael Bisping explains why "there's a good chance" Bobby Green beats Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2022
Even though Bobby Green is taking a fight against Islam Makhachev on 10 days’ notice, Michael Bisping believes there’s a good chance “King” gets his hand raised. Green defeated Nasrat Haqparast by decision at UFC 271 on February 12 and not even a week later, he agreed to headline UFC Vegas 49 on February 19 as he will take on Islam Makhachev. He’s a massive underdog heading into the fight and not many are giving Green a chance, but Bisping believes the longtime UFC veteran has all the tools to upset Makhachev.
Bobby Green set to replace Beneil Dariush against Islam Makhachev, likely at a catchweight
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2022
Bobby Green will be fighting for the second time in two weeks. On Wednesday evening, it was reported that Beneil Dariush was forced out of his UFC Vegas 49 main event fight against Islam Makhachev due to an injury. Now, according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Green has agreed to step up on 10 days’ notice.
Beneil Dariush forced out of UFC Vegas 49 main event against Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2022
Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush will not be fighting next Saturday night after all. According to MMA reporter, Ariel Helwani and later confirmed by sources to BJPENN, Dariush suffered an injury and has been forced out of the fight. It’s uncertain if Makhachev will remain on the card or if another fight will headline next Saturday’s event.
Islam Makhachev on Dustin Poirier moving up to welterweight: “I think he just wanna make money. He knows he's not gonna be champion no more”
Susan Cox - February 4, 2022
According to Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poiriers’ move to welterweight is only because he won’t ever be a lightweight champion. Poirier (28-7 MMA) lost to Charles Oliveira (32-8 MMA) at UFC 269 in December 2021, failing to earn the desired lightweight belt. It was Poiriers’ second attempt to gain the title, his first attempt was back in 2019 at UFC 242, in Abu Dhabi, when he lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA).
Javier Mendez confident that both Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov would “dominate” Charles Oliveira
Susan Cox - January 12, 2022
Javier Mendez, speaking on his YouTube channel has suggested that both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev would ‘dominate’ Charles Oliveira: “I know they both would beat Charles, in my opinion because look, they’re both my fighters,” Mendez said (h/t MMAJunkie). “Stylistically-wise, Islam could strike, he can kick. Khabib wasn’t a great kicker. Khabib would have to go straight to the grappling with Charles and probably dominate him there. As a matter of fact, I know he would. I know Khabib would dominate him there, and I kind of feel, my personal opinion, as great as Charles is, I think Islam would dominate him there. too.”
Dan Hooker shares his take on the "best grappler" and "most technical lightweight" in the UFC
Susan Cox - December 2, 2021
Dan Hooker has shared his take on who is the “best grappler” and “most technical lightweight” in the UFC. While he has never actually fought for the 155lbs title, Hooker (21-11 MMA) has squared off with a bevy of the divisions top contenders.
Beneil Dariush breaks down upcoming UFC fight with Islam Makhachev
Adam D Martin - November 30, 2021
Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush broke down his upcoming UFC fight with divisional rival Islam Makhachev. Dariush vs. Makhachev was recently announced to be the headliner of the UFC Fight Night card that is set to take place on February 26. By all accounts, this will be a No. 1 contender fight at 155lbs, with the winner getting a title shot later in 2022 after Justin Gaethje gets his. On paper, this fight between Dariush and Makhachev looks like it has the chance to be a lot of fun, especially if it goes to the ground where both men are among the best.
Khabib Nurmagomedov doubles down on support of Islam Makhachev getting title shot, 'If you have a nine-fight win streak, you have to fight for the title'
Drake Riggs - November 29, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov won’t be changing his mind anytime soon when it comes to the UFC lightweight title picture. The former king of the division recently shared his thoughts on the matter when telling former challenger Justin Gaethje that he “fell asleep” in his lone undisputed opportunity. Despite a recent victory in an instant classic with Michael Chandler at UFC 268, Gaethje is behind Islam Makhachev in the pecking order according to “The Eagle.”
Islam Makhachev opens up as big betting favorite against Beneil Dariush
Adam Martin - November 28, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has opened up as a big betting favorite to defeat Beneil Dariush when they fight in early 2022. Makhachev vs. Dariush was officially announced this weekend, and the fight will take place on February 26 in what will be a five-round non-title main event. It goes without saying that this fight between Makhachev and Dariush is one of the biggest fights that the lightweight division currently offers, and it seems fair to assume the winner of this fight is going to get a title shot at 155lbs. Justin Gaethje is first up for the winner of UFC 269’s Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier, and the winner of Makhachev/Dariush will be up next.
Islam Makhachev vs. Beneil Dariush booked to headline UFC Fight Night in February
Chris Taylor - November 27, 2021
A massive fight between top UFC lightweight contenders Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush has been booked for February. That news comes from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto who reported the following on Twitter:
Justin Gaethje reveals plan to win UFC lightweight title, make first title defense against Islam Makhachev
Adam D Martin - November 26, 2021
UFC fighter Justin Gaethje revealed his plan to win the UFC lightweight title, and then make his first title defense against Islam Makhachev. Gaethje was not happy when UFC commentator Daniel Cormier suggested that Makhachev should be next in line to fight for the lightweight title after he beat Dan Hooker at UFC 267. As far as Gaethje goes, he is clearly the next man in line for the belt after beating Michael Chandler at UFC 268. So while he knows that Makhachev is a great fighter in his own right who deserves to fight for the belt, Gaethje is confident he should get the next title shot.
Justin Gaethje suggests Islam Makhachev to 'Do your f*cking job' and fight Beneil Dariush
Drake Riggs - November 18, 2021
Justin Gaethje doesn’t believe Islam Makhachev has earned his shot at the UFC lightweight title. UFC 269 on Dec. 11 will see current champion Charles Oliveira attempt to defend against former interim titleholder Dustin Poirier. In the meantime, “The Highlight” and one of Dagestan’s finest make their cases.
Islam Makhachev responds after former UFC champ Eddie Alvarez says Justin Gaethje getting the next lightweight title shot “is only right”
Adam D Martin - November 14, 2021
Islam Makhachev responded after former UFC champ Eddie Alvarez said Justin Gaethje getting the next lightweight title shot “is only right.” Makhachev recently defeated Dan Hooker at UFC 267 to improve to 10-1 overall in the UFC with his current nine-fight win streak. Makhachev is clearly one of the best lightweight fighters in the world, and he is hoping to get the next title shot at 155lbs against the winner of UFC 269’s Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier main event. However, after Gaethje defeated Michael Chandler at UFC 268 in a “Fight of the Year” candidate last weekend, there seems to be more support for Gaethje getting the next title shot. One of those supporters is his former UFC rival Alvarez, who took to his social media to stump for him.
Islam Makhachev could beat Khabib Nurmagomedov, says Mike Swick
Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021
UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev could beat former divisional kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov, says former UFC fighter Mike Swick. Swick competed in the UFC for many years but these days he lives in Thailand and own and operates AKA Thailand. In the United States, Makhachev and Nurmagomedov train at AKA San Jose, so Swick is well versed in both men and their skills. While Nurmagomedov was for many years the best lightweight in the UFC, he retired from the sport earlier this year and now the other lightweight fighters have the opportunity to win the title. One of those fighters is Makhachev, who recently defeated Dan Hooker for his ninth straight win.
Daniel Cormier believes Justin Gaethje has earned next UFC lightweight title shot over Islam Makhachev
Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes that Justin Gaethje has earned the next UFC lightweight title shot over his teammate Islam Makhachev. Cormier and Gaethje recently got into it on social media after “The Highlight” accused DC of being biased during his commentary for the recent Makhachev vs. Dan Hooker fight. Following that match, which Makhachev won in an impressive fashion, Cormier suggested that he should be next in line to fight for the belt, and Gaethje felt that he was biased since they are teammates at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA). However, it now appears that DC has changed his tune and is now supporting Gaethje for the title shot.