Islam Makhachev News
Arman Tsarukyan expects Ilia Topuria to challenge Islam Makhachev for UFC lightweight title next
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 14, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan believes the next UFC lightweight title challenger will be Ilia Topuria. Recently, Dana White announced that the main event of UFC 314 will determine a new UFC Featherweight Champion. Topuria will officially vacate the 145-pound gold once Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes begins. Topuria made the decision to relinquish the featherweight title in favor of moving up to the lightweight division.
UFC icon predicts Islam Makhachev's next UFC lightweight title challenger
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 13, 2025
When push comes to shove, one UFC Hall of Famer believes that Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is happening next. Makhachev recently etched his name in the history books. He submitted last-minute replacement opponent Renato Moicano to secure his fourth UFC Lightweight Championship defense. That is the most successful title defenses in UFC lightweight history.
Jon Anik believes Justin Gaethje deserves a shot at Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - March 13, 2025
UFC commentator Jon Anik believes Justin Gaethje deserves a crack at Islam Makhachev’s UFC title. Last weekend, Justin Gaethje proved that he’s still an elite competitor in the lightweight division. He went toe to toe with Rafael Fiziev for the second time, and for the second time, he came away with a blockbuster victory.
Justin Gaethje calls out Islam Makhachev following recent UFC 313 win: "Dana White, I am ready"
Josh Evanoff - March 11, 2025
Justin Gaethje badly wants a fight against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. ‘The Highlight’ is fresh off his return to the octagon at UFC 313 over the weekend. Appearing in the co-main event, Justin Gaethje faced Rafael Fiziev. The bout was his first since his devastating knockout loss to Max Holloway last April. While the former ‘BMF’ titleholder was coming off a brutal stoppage defeat, it didn’t look that way on Saturday.
MMA fans react to Islam Makhachev's cryptic message regarding possible Ilia Topuria fight
Harry Kettle - February 26, 2025
MMA fans have given their thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s cryptic message regarding a possible Ilia Topuria fight. As we know, Islam Makhachev is the UFC lightweight champion – and he’s also one of the most feared men in all of mixed martial arts. In addition to that, he’s also starting to enter the conversation for best lightweights of all time, with some believing that he’s already made his way to the top of the list.
Islam Makhachev's team not keen on fighting Ilia Topuria next after 'El Matador' vacates UFC gold
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 21, 2025
Islam Makhachev’s coach has praise for Ilia Topuria, but he’s still not keen on “El Matador” getting a UFC lightweight title shot. UFC CEO Dana White recently announced that Ilia Topuria has vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship. Fighting for the vacant gold will be Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 314. While Topuria vs. Makhachev has not been made official at this time, Ariel Helwani reports that this is being planned potentially as early as International Fight Week. Helwani later noted that Topuria wouldn’t have vacated the featherweight title for a number one contender fight.
Islam Makhachev's manager sounds off on possible Ilia Topuria bout: "We already gave chances to featherweight champ"
Josh Evanoff - February 20, 2025
Islam Makhachev’s manager doesn’t seem to be a fan of a potential bout with former UFC champion Ilia Topuria. The UFC lightweight champion is fresh off his return to the cage last month in Los Angeles. There, Islam Makhachev met a short-notice replacement, Renato Moicano. While he was initially set to face Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311, an injury forced him out. As a result, Makhachev handed the short-notice ‘Money Moicano’ a first-round submission loss.
Islam Makhachev isn't afraid of Ilia Topuria, says UFC Hall of Famer
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2025
One UFC Hall of Famer says that Islam Makhachev has no fear of fighting Ilia Topuria. Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion, while Topuria holds the featherweight gold. Topuria has expressed interest in a champion vs. champion showdown, but Makhachev has let it be known that he prefers to go after “champ-champ” status. “El Matador” believes Makhachev is avoiding a fight against him.
UFC champion Ilia Topuria teases fight news amid rumors of bout against Islam Makhachev: "Maybe the next week"
Josh Evanoff - February 13, 2025
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria hopes to announce his return next week. ‘El Matador’ hasn’t been seen in the octagon since his title defense against Max Holloway in October. Just a few months after knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to win UFC gold, Ilia Topuria met the red-hot ‘Blessed’. Holloway entered the bout after his knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April, hoping to win the featherweight title for the second time.
Dustin Poirier gives his thoughts on possible Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria fight
Harry Kettle - February 13, 2025
UFC star Dustin Poirier has given his thoughts on a potential superfight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. Everyone is aware of the fact that Ilia Topuria is an ambitious person. In the wake of his victory over Max Holloway, he made it clear that he wants to try and win a second belt. If he’s going to do that, then there’s a pretty good chance he’ll have to go through Islam Makhachev in order to do it.
Joe Rogan pushes for Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev next: "Make the big fight"
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2025
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is hopeful that Ilia Topuria will move up to lightweight to face Islam Makhachev next time out. Topuria has been hinting at a potential fight with Makhachev for the lightweight title. It would be a massive fight, but some fans want to see him defend the featherweight title a couple more times.
Alexander Volkanovski reacts after Ilia Topuria states his desire to fight Islam Makhachev next: “I’ll fight whoever for that belt”
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2025
Alexander Volkanovski has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria wanting to fight Islam Makhachev next instead of him. As we know, Alexander Volkanovski is an absolutely massive fan favorite in the world of mixed martial arts. He had an incredible run as featherweight champion, and he also dared to be great by moving up to lightweight. Now, his former foe Ilia Topuria is attempting to do the same in order to try and become a two-weight world champion.
Dana White casts doubt on Islam Makhachev's talk of moving to middleweight: "That's a whole other level"
Josh Evanoff - January 30, 2025
UFC President Dana White doesn’t seem to be a fan of Islam Makhachev’s tease of a move to middleweight. The UFC lightweight champion is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 311 earlier this month. Back for the first time since a submission win over Dustin Poirier last June, Islam Makhachev faced Renato Moicano. ‘Money Moicano’ stepped up on short notice, being thrown into the main event after Arman Tsarukyan withdrew during fight week due to a neck injury.
Sean Strickland blasts Islam Makhachev over middleweight talk: 'Go back to f***ing Dagestan'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 30, 2025
Sean Strickland has sent a short, yet clear message to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Much has been made over what the future could hold for Makhachev. He’s already set a new record for the most successful UFC title defenses at 155 pounds. The lightweight ruler has insisted that he will get eventually win the welterweight championship. He’s even said that a move up to middleweight might be a possibility one day.
Dricus du Plessis explains why Islam Makhachev super fight would be 'easy payday' for him
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2025
Dricus du Plessis doesn’t see Islam Makhachev giving him much of a problem if they ever share the Octagon. Both du Plessis and Makhachev currently hold UFC gold. The middleweight title belongs to du Plessis, and he will look to have a second successful defense when he meets Sean Strickland in a rematch on February 8th. As for Makhachev, he recently made history by setting a new record for the most successful UFC Lightweight Championship defenses when he submitted Renato Moicano.
Islam Makhachev shares preference on who he wants to fight next: 'I like this idea'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025
Islam Makhachev wants a fresh UFC title challenger for his next defense. Makhachev put his name in the history books after he set a new record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses. He defeated Renato Mociano, who was a late replacement opponent after Arman Tsarukyan pulled out of the fight due to a back injury. Makhachev ended up submitting Moicano in the opening frame to push his title defenses to four.
Daniel Cormier believes Arman Tsarukyan should be next for Islam Makhachev following UFC 311: "It has to be him!"
Josh Evanoff - January 21, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes Arman Tsarukyan should still be next for Islam Makhachev. The lightweight champion is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 311 on Saturday. Back for the first time since submitting Dustin Poirier last June, Islam Makhachev was set to meet Arman Tsarukyan. The bout was going to be a rematch of their prior meeting in April 2019, which saw the Russian win by unanimous decision.
Javier Mendez reveals one thing he doesn't like about Islam Makhachev's sparring sessions
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 21, 2025
Islam Makhachev has been a golden goose for Javier Mendez, but the renowned head coach has one pet peeve with the UFC lightweight champion. Mendez has helped Makhachev throughout their time together at American Kickboxing Academy. Of course, Makhachev splits his time in California and Dagestan in preparation for his fights. The method has worked wonders for Makhachev, who recently set a new record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses.