Islam Makhachev News

Christopher Taylor - November 27, 2021

Khabib Nurmagomedov was pushing for Islam Makhachev to receive a title shot following his submission victory over Dan Hooker at UFC 267. Despite the former champions campaign efforts, it was announced today that Makhachev (21-1 MMA) has been booked to fight fellow lightweight contender Beneil Dariush (21-4-1 MMA) 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:

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.

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.

Adam D Martin - November 9, 2021

UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori believes there is one lightweight fighter who could give Islam Makhachev “a lot of problems.” Vettori trains at Kings MMA alongside Beneil Dariush, who is one of the top-ranked lightweights in the sport. Speaking to Mike Swick recently on his podcast, Vettori said that he believes Dariush is the one man who can give Makhachev problems. Although Vettori admitted that Makhachev is a great fighter, he believes Dariush has the style to beat him.

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.

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.

Chris Taylor - November 6, 2021

Conor McGregor has lashed out at Islam Makhachev after discovering one of his old tweets from 2015. Just prior to McGregor’s interim featherweight title fight with Chad Mendes at UFC 189, Makhachev took to Twitter with the following statement “I can’t imagine that after all his talk, Conor loses”.

Adam D Martin - November 1, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev trolled UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after beating Dan Hooker at UFC 267. Makhachev absolutely smashed Hooker in their lightweight bout that took place at last Saturday’s UFC 267 card. The Russian took Hooker down immediately in the first round and began to go to work with his submissions, and soon afterward he was able to lock up the kimura and force Hooker to tap out. It was an absolutely phenomenal victory by Makhachev, who proved without a doubt that he is one of the top-five fighters in the UFC lightweight division. It was also the type of victory that gave Makhachev a lot more confidence in himself, and now he is taking shots at Hooker’s teammate in Adesanya.

Adam D Martin - October 31, 2021

Islam Makhachev wants a title shot after dominating Dan Hooker, saying that “when Michael Chandler beat Hooker they give him the title fight.” Makhachev submitted Chandler with a first-round kimura at UFC 267 in what was arguably the best performance of his UFC career to date. Makhachev took Hooker down almost immediately as soon as the fight began and he started to get to work right away on the ground. Not long after that, he grabbed Hooker’s arm and twisted it for the kimura finish.

Christopher Taylor - October 30, 2021

Daniel Cormier and Justin Gaethje were involved in a heated exchange on Twitter after ‘DC’ suggested Islam Makhachev should get a title fight. Makhachev (21-1 MMA) returned to action on today’s UFC 267 main card for a lightweight bout with perennial division contender Dan Hooker (21-11 MMA).

Christopher Taylor - October 30, 2021

Dan Hooker has reacted following his disappointing first round submission loss to Islam Makhachev at today’s UFC 267 event. Hooker (21-11 MMA) was making a quick turnaround today in Abu Dhabi. ‘The Hangman‘ had most previously competed five weeks ago at UFC 266, where he picked up a unanimous decision victory over Nasrat Haqparast. That win had snapped a two-fight losing skid for the Auckland native, who had previously suffered setbacks to Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler respectively.

Chris Taylor - October 30, 2021

A key lightweight bout between perennial division contenders Islam Makhachev and Dan Hooker takes place on today’s UFC 267 main card. Makhachev (20-1 MMA) will enter the contest on an eight-fight winning streak, his latest being a submission win over Thiago Moises in July.

Adam D Martin - October 29, 2021

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov told Islam Makhachev to “call out Dana White” with a win over Dan Hooker at UFC 267. Nurmagomedov is the former UFC lightweight champion, but he vacated his belt earlier this year after officially announcing his retirement from MMA. With Nurmagomedov now on the sidelines, there have been many analysts who have said that Makhachev is the next lightweight champion. He has a fighting style that is similar to Nurmagomedov and so far in the UFC, he has been extremely dominant with a 9-1 record including an eight-fight win streak at the moment. On Saturday at UFC 267, Makhachev will look to defeat Hooker.

Adam D Martin - October 28, 2021

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker commented on the Islam Makhachev fight at UFC 267, saying that “this is his party. I’m just here to spoil it.” Hooker takes on Makhachev this Saturday at UFC 267 in what is one of the biggest fights of his career. Hooker took the fight with Makhachev on short notice after Rafael dos Anjos fell off the card. Just a few days after he beat Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266, Hooker then decided that he would take the chance and fight Makhachev on short notice at UFC 267.

Adam D Martin - October 27, 2021

Former UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov praised Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 267, saying “he’s top-10 in pound-for-pound right now.” Nurmagomerdov and Makhachev are longtime friends as well as training partners at American Kickboxing Academy. Nurmagomedov was the former UFC lightweight champion and is considered by many to be one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. But he retired earlier this year, and he essentially passed the torch on to Makhachev to continue the legacy of Russian lightweight champions. There have been many who have said that Makhachev has what it takes to be the next Nurmagomedov.

Harry Kettle - October 22, 2021

Dan Hooker has sensationally offered to take his fight against Islam Makhachev up to five rounds at UFC 267. MMA fans were quick to praise Dan Hooker when, on short notice, he decided to take on the challenge of facing Islam Makhachev at UFC 267. It’s a risky move for “Hangman” but in many ways, it’s a win-win. If he gets his hand raised then he’s one step closer to the belt and if he loses, that’s what was expected to happen anyway.

Adam D Martin - October 21, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker believes a win over Islam Makhachev at UFC 267 will put him one win away from a lightweight title shot. Hooker took the fight against Makhachev on short notice after former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos was forced to withdraw due to an injury. It’s a risky fight for Hooker, who will have to go to Abu Dhabi and fight one of the best lightweights in the world with less notice than ideal. But for Hooker, it’s a risk that is well worth the reward, because he knows that if he beats Makhachev, he would inch one step closer to the title shot at 155.