Islam Makhachev News
Islam Makhachev issues statement after being forced out of fight with Rafael dos Anjos
Harry Kettle - November 9, 2020
UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev has released a statement after being forced out of his proposed main event against Rafael dos Anjos. After their bout at UFC 254 was called off due to dos Anjos testing positive for COVID-19, the two men were paired together in the main event of UFC Vegas 14. That fight was set to take place this Saturday night at the UFC APEX but now, Makhachev will have to once again wait for a new date – and potentially a new opponent – as he continues his road to recovery.
Islam Makhachev set to headline UFC Vegas card, says Dana White
Adam Martin - October 23, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that top lightweight contender Islam Makhachev will headline an upcoming card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Makhachev was originally set to take on former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at this weekend’s UFC 254 card. However, the fight was scratched after RDA tested positive for COVID-19. Rather than keep Makhachev on the card against another opponent, the UFC has instead decided to re-book the fight between Makhachev and RDA for the UFC Vegas card on November 14, as we previously reported on BJPenn.com.
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Islam Makhachev matchup rescheduled for UFC Vegas 15
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
A lightweight fight between Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos has been rescheduled for UFC Vegas 15 on November 14. This news was first reported by MMADNA.nl.
UFC 254: ‘Khabib vs Gaethje’ fight card receives shakeup following the removal of Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - October 15, 2020
The UFC 254 card has been hit by a late change as the Islam Makhachev vs. Rafael dos Anjos fight has been officially called off. Many fans were excited to see Makhachev get back into the cage and attempt to extend his current winning streak at UFC 254, but he won’t be doing so on Fight Island after it was announced that the aforementioned dos Anjos was pulled from the card as a result of a positive COVID-19 test.
Ali Abdelaziz offers Islam Makhachev fight to Tony Ferguson at UFC 254
Andrew Whitelaw - October 8, 2020
Ali Abdelaziz has made an offer to Tony Ferguson. The Dominance MMA CEO tweeted to El Cucuy, asking him if he wanted to step in to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 254. His client is currently without an opponent, after news dropped that Rafael Dos Anjos was forced to withdraw after testing positive for Covid-19.
Islam Makhachev calls for Michael Chandler to step in and replace Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 254
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2020
Islam Makhachev is looking to remain on UFC 254 and is hoping Michael Chandler will step up. Makhachev was originally supposed to fight Rafael dos Anjos, yet the Brazilian announced he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is out of the fight. So, for Makhachev, he hopes Chandler, who is serving as the backup for UFC 254’s title fight will step up.
Photo | Rafael dos Anjos reinventing himself for another run at UFC gold
Harry Kettle - September 23, 2020
UFC veteran Rafael dos Anjos is reinventing himself ahead of another push to try and claim a UFC championship. Dos Anjos is a popular figure within the mixed martial arts community and is known as a true legend of the game. However, with his 36th birthday coming up next month, some believe that his time as an elite fighter is coming to an end.
Two massive UFC lightweight fights in the works for fall 2020
Chris Taylor - August 15, 2020
Two massive UFC lightweight fights are now slated for the fall of 2020, in addition to October’s title unification bout. At UFC 254 on October 24 reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will look to keep his perfect record intact when he squares off with interim title holder Justin Gaethje.
Kevin Lee says Islam Makhachev can 'still get it' after he fights Charles Oliveira
Cole Shelton - January 30, 2020
Kevin Lee has made it clear he is looking to sign two bout agreements at once. Lee is set to headline UFC Brasilia against Charles Oliveira on March 14, yet many expected him to fight Islam Makhachev. After Lee knocked out Gregor Gillespie, he and the Russian went back-and-forth and agreed to fight one another on social media. But, according to “The Motown Phenom” why it isn’t happening next is because Makhachev wanted to wait until June.
Islam Makhachev slams Kevin Lee for taking 'easy way out' by accepting Charles Oliveira fight
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2020
Islam Makhachev believes Kevin Lee took the easy way out by not fighting him. In the main event of UFC Brasilia, Lee will battle Charles Oliveira which kind of came out of nowhere to many. Especially given the fact, Makhachev and “Motown Phenom” have been going back-and-forth for several months now about a possible fight and it only intensified after Lee knocked out Gregor Gillespie. Both sides seemed interested in the fight but for whatever reasons they could not come to terms.
Islam Makhachev continues to call out Kevin Lee
Natasha Hooper - January 6, 2020
Islam Makhachev has his sights set on his next opponent and won’t back down. The Dagestani fighter took to Twitter to try and force Dana White’s hand and organize a matchup against Kevin Lee. Makhachev has tallied 7 wins and only 1 professional loss since making his UFC debut in 2015. Alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov and Zabit Magomedsharipov, the accomplished fighter is regarded amongst the best fighters to come out of Russia.
Islam Makhachev refutes Kevin Lee booking, calls for fight contract
Tom Taylor - December 23, 2019
Over the weekend, UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee divulged to Helen Yee that he has received an offer to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 249 in Brooklyn, New York this April. Lee added that he and the UFC are waiting on Makhachev to sign his contract, and that it’s not clear what the delay is. Kevin Lee tells me his next fight offered will be against Islam Mackhachev in the Khabib vs Tony Ferguson card in April in Brooklyn. According to Kevin, they’re waiting on Islam and not sure what the holdup is. Interview coming shortly.
Conor McGregor takes a shot at Islam Makhachev, the Russian standout responds
Adam D Martin - October 27, 2019
UFC superstar Conor McGregor took a shot at Russian standout Islam Makhachev, and the two got into an exchange of words on social media. The father of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Abdulmanap recently said he believes that Conor McGregor should fight Makhachev, who is a training partner of Khabib. McGregor evidently does not agree with what Khabib’s father suggested and took to his Twitter account to turn down the fight.
Dan Hooker jokingly dismisses Daniel Cormier's matchmaking, DC responds
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2019
UFC lightweight Dan Hooker and former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier have a difference of opinion when it comes to who Hooker should face next inside the Octagon. The Kiwi star was able to defeat Al Iaquinta at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia to establish himself as one to watch at 155 pounds. The next natural step would be for him to face someone higher up in the rankings, but with Raging Al fighting down the rankings to face Hooker, a lot of fans believe Dan should be doing the very same thing.
Islam Makhachev calls out Dan Hooker: 'Let's wrestle'
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019
Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has called out Dan Hooker after Hooker’s victory over Al Iaquinta in the co-main event of UFC 243. Makhachev took to Twitter to respond to “The Hangman” calling out Dustin Poirier. Here’s what Makhachev said.
Islam Makhachev fires back at Kevin Lee
Tom Taylor - September 17, 2019
Late last week, Kevin Lee announced his intention to return to the lightweight division after a brief stint at welterweight. He stated that he hopes to work his way toward a title fight with lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, and that he’s interested in battling Nurmagomedov’s training partner Islam Makhachev in the meantime. “After looking at that last fight with Khabib, I did an interview before Khabib fought Dustin (Poirier) and said I wasn’t too impressed,” Lee told ESPN (via MMA Mania). “But after seeing the way Khabib handled Dustin, I might want a piece of that cake. I like the biggest target I can find. He’s the real challenge out there. He’s the guy who is going to challenge Jon Jones for the pound-for-pound title. That’s the kind of fight that will get me up.
Dillon Danis targets Khabib Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev
Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019
The beef between Team Conor McGregor and Team Khabib Nurmagomedov is seemingly alive and well. Nearly a year removed from McGregor and Nurmagomedov’s October, 2018 fight, which the latter won by submission, members of their respective entourages are still trading shots. The latest to do so is McGregor stablemate Dillon Danis, who called for a fight with Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev on Twitter. https://twitter.com/dillondanis/status/1166006545391468546
Conor McGregor trashes 'dirty, smelly rats' Makhachev, Tukhugov and Taisumov
Tom Taylor - May 6, 2019
The UFC is headed to Abu Dhabi with UFC 242 on September 7, and a number of top Russian fighters are expected to compete on the card. Khabib Nurmagomedov is rumored to be defending his undisputed lightweight title against Dustin Poirier in the main event, while other stars like Islam Makhachev, Zubaira Tukhugov and Mairbek Taisumov are reportedly in talks to join the card. Former UFC lightweight and featherweight champ Conor McGregor has some pretty incendiary opinions about several of these fighters.