Islam Makhachev News

Curtis Calhoun - January 16, 2026

Ilia Topuria didn’t take long to respond to UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev’s recent comments about a potential fight. UFC titleholders Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev could be on a collision course in 2026.

Curtis Calhoun - January 15, 2026

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev believes a fight with Ilia Topuria will happen sooner rather than later, but only on his terms. Islam Makhachev is plotting his first welterweight title defense after winning the belt over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November. Makhachev fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a two-division world champion by delivering another dominant performance against Maddalena and knocking the titleholder off his throne.

Curtis Calhoun - January 9, 2026

UFC legend Jon Jones believes welterweight titleholder Islam Makhachev is a once-in-a-generation athlete in combat sports. Jon Jones and two-time UFC rival Daniel Cormier reunited as coaches on ALF Reality 3, a Russian MMA reality television show. Jones and Cormier have expressed similar accounts of what it was like for the two rivals to reunite, and their assessments were less than amicable.

Harry Kettle - December 31, 2025

UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan has explained why he doesn’t believe he will wind up battling Islam Makhachev in a grappling match. As we know, Arman Tsarukyan is pretty eager to land himself a UFC lightweight championship opportunity. He was snubbed for a crack at the interim belt at UFC 324, with Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett getting the call instead. Alas, he’s opted to keep himself busy in the form of some wrestling matches as he attempts to finally get hold of UFC gold at some point in 2026.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 28, 2025

Islam Makhachev believes it’s only a matter of time before he has a confrontation with Ilia Topuria. Topuria recently told eldoberdanMMA that he thinks Makhachev and his team are “cocky and arrogant.” He expressed his desire to submit Makhachev in front of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Topuria took things a step further and dared Nurmagomedov to end his retirement before claiming he would step on “The Eagle’s” head.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 28, 2025

In another world, Islam Makhachev’s next title fight would’ve headlined UFC 324. UFC’s debut on Paramount has been set for Jan. 24. While the interim lightweight title fight between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje is set to headline, it doesn’t appear to be UFC’s first choice.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 26, 2025

Islam Makhachev is doubling down on his desire to fight Kamaru Usman next. Makhachev captured the UFC Welterweight Championship in a dominant performance against Jack Della Maddalena back in November. Top 170-pound contenders such as Michael Morales and Ian Machado Garry have emerged and both seem to be viable options to fight Makhachev next.

Curtis Calhoun - December 22, 2025

Ilia Topuria’s recent interviews drew the attention of former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s team amidst his absence. UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria’s timeline for his first title defense remains uncertain, as he navigates personal issues outside the Octagon. UFC 324 is headlined by an interim lightweight title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett next month, amidst Topuria’s ongoing hiatus.

Harry Kettle - December 19, 2025

Joaquin Buckley isn’t convinced that Islam Makhachev will compete much longer, even if he fights and defeats Kamaru Usman. Right now, Islam Makhachev is on top of the world as the UFC welterweight champion. While there’s been no confirmation about what’s next for him, it certainly seems as if the idea of him being challenged by former champion Kamaru Usman is building momentum.

Curtis Calhoun - December 16, 2025

Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad accused Islam Makhachev of cherry picking opponents ahead of his first title defense. Islam Makhachev won a second UFC title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision at UFC 322 last month. Makhachev, just months after vacating the lightweight belt, put on one of the most dominant performances of his career to dethrone Maddalena and win the welterweight championship.

Harry Kettle - December 11, 2025

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has confirmed his interest in defending the belt against Kamaru Usman. As we know, Islam Makhachev is the current UFC welterweight champion. He earned that title courtesy of his dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena, and now, there are plenty of contenders waiting for their opportunity to try and take the belt away from him.

Curtis Calhoun - December 10, 2025

Islam Makhachev came to his former rival Arman Tsarukyan’s defense after the recent announcement of the Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett fight. Arman Tsarukyan will have to wait a while longer for another shot at the UFC lightweight belt after UFC CEO Dana White’s recent remarks.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 3, 2025

If Islam Makhachev’s manager is to be believed, then Khabib Nurmagomedov shut down a title defense at UFC 324. Makhachev captured the UFC Welterweight Championship from Jack Della Maddalena in November, and it’s hard to imagine he’d have a quick turnaround at this stage in his career. Still, Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz is claiming that his fighter was offered the main event slot for January, which would’ve been for UFC’s debut on Paramount+.

Harry Kettle - December 2, 2025

UFC legend Dominick Cruz has explained why he prefers Merab Dvalishvili’s grappling to Islam Makhachev’s grappling. For the longest time now, Merab Dvalishvili has been seen as one of the best bantamweights on the planet. On the flip side, Islam Makhachev is considered by many to be the pound for pound best fighter in all of mixed martial arts right now.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 1, 2025

The idea of Islam Makhachev vs. Kamaru Usman doesn’t sit well with a top UFC contender. Makhachev is the reigning welterweight titleholder after defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in New York City. After the fight, Makhachev admitted the top choice for his next opponent is Usman. Such a fight has drawn the ire of many within the MMA community given the amount of worthy contenders at 170 pounds.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 26, 2025

Islam Makhachev would be in for an interesting test against Michael Morales if one UFC icon is to be believed. Morales had an eye-opening performance against Sean Brady on the main card of UFC 322. Morales didn’t allow the fight to get to the ground, as he scored a first-round TKO finish. The win has elevated Morales’ stock, and now some are wondering if he’ll be next to challenge Makhachev for the UFC Welterweight Championship.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 25, 2025

Islam Makhachev doesn’t have too much to regret about his MMA career, but there is one thing that stands out. Believe it or not, it’s not the lone defeat of Makhachev’s career back in 2015. He has long shaken off that moment to break the record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses. If that wasn’t enough, Makhachev went on to defeat Jack Della Maddalena to become the UFC Welterweight Champion.

Curtis Calhoun - November 24, 2025

Former UFC champion Robert Whittaker picked Islam Makhachev over a prime Georges St-Pierre in a hypothetical welterweight fight. Islam Makhachev accomplished his lifelong goal to win multiple UFC world titles when he dominated Jack Della Maddalena earlier this month at UFC 322. Makhachev won the UFC welterweight championship and reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings.