Islam Makhachev News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 22, 2024

One highly-rated UFC title contender is backing Nate Diaz in the bottle-throwing incident involving Islam Makhachev’s team. Diaz and Makhachev were in attendance for the UFC 310 event earlier this month. The Stockton native was supporting Kron Gracie for his fight against Bryce Mitchell. At some point, things escalated between Diaz and Makhachev’s team. Video surfaced of Diaz hurling a water bottle backstage.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 22, 2024

Arman Tsarukyan believes he’s the only one who can dethrone UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Tsarukyan and Makhachev will share the Octagon a second time to headline the first UFC pay-per-view of 2025. They will clash for the UFC Lightweight Championship on January 18th. The two had a competitive matchup in their first meeting back in 2019, and it was Makhachev who earned the unanimous decision victory.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 18, 2024

Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez believes Ilia Topuria must prove himself as a lightweight if he wants a title shot at 155 pounds. Topuria currently holds the UFC Featherweight Championship. “El Matador” recently teased moving up to the lightweight division, although he has since clarified that a decision hasn’t been made at this time. Topuria has made it clear that a future showdown with Makhachev is on his mind, although the feeling doesn’t appear to be mutual.

Harry Kettle - December 18, 2024

Khabib Nurmagomedov has explained why he isn’t a fan of the idea of Islam Makhachev facing off against Belal Muhammad. As we know, Belal Muhammad is the UFC welterweight champion. He earned that title by defeating Leon Edwards, and he did so in fairly convincing fashion. Up next, the expectation is that he will defend the belt against number one contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 16, 2024

Islam Makhachev might ride off into the sunset sooner than fans are hoping for. Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion. He’s scheduled to put his gold at stake against Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 on January 18th. If he’s able to emerge victorious, then it would be the fourth successful title defense for the 155-pound ruler.

Harry Kettle - December 7, 2024

Nate Diaz and Islam Makhachev were engaged in a confrontation backstage in Las Vegas last night. If there’s one thing we know to be true about Nate Diaz, it’s that he’s unpredictable. Throughout the course of his entire career, Diaz has made a point of making headlines. Whether it be his performances inside the cage or what he says and does outside of it, everyone knows him to be a wild card – and that’s proven to be the case once again.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 5, 2024

UFC 311 will be getting two major title fights. Dana White, UFC CEO, recently took to social media to drop some major news on his promotion’s first pay-per-view event of 2025. In the main event of UFC 311, Islam Makhachev will put his lightweight championship at stake against Arman Tsarukyan.

Josh Evanoff - December 4, 2024

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev isn’t very interested in facing Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 308 in October. Back for the first time since knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in February, Ilia Topuria met Max Holloway. Ahead of the contest, both featherweights were discussing a move to 155 pounds. For his part, ‘Blessed’ was coming off a knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April.

Harry Kettle - November 23, 2024

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has hit out at Conor McGregor following the latter’s recent loss in court. This week, Conor McGregor was found liable for sexual assault in a case relating to an incident back in 2018. The incident in question took place two months following Conor’s defeat at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov who defeated him to retain his UFC lightweight championship. Now, that same belt is held by his close friend Islam Makhachev.

Harry Kettle - November 7, 2024

UFC commentator Jon Anik has explained why he believes Islam Makhachev should feature in the #1 pound-for-pound fighter conversation. Right now, Islam Makhachev is one of the best fighters on the planet. He has taken the mixed martial arts world by storm, taking over brilliantly from the legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov. For many, he deserves to be the pound-for-pound number one in the UFC rankings.

Cole Shelton - November 5, 2024

Michael Chandler has shared his prediction for the expected rematch between Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan. Makhachev and Tsarukyan are rumored to rematch in January at UFC 311 for the lightweight title. It will be one of the most intriguing title fights, as it serves as a rematch of their 2019 fight, which Makhachev won by decision. However, that contest served as Tsarukyan’s UFC debut and was a fight he took on very short notice.

Josh Evanoff - November 4, 2024

It appears that Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 is official for UFC 311 in January. The lightweight champion hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Dustin Poirier in June. In the main event of UFC 302, Islam Makhachev entered the octagon as a massive betting favorite against ‘The Diamond’. While the challenger offered some resistance, the Russian emerged with a fifth-round submission victory.

Cole Shelton - October 29, 2024

Alexander Volkanovski believes that Ilia Topuria could become a champ-champ if he tries to. Topuria is the UFC’s featherweight champion and is coming off a TKO win over Max Holloway to defend his belt at UFC 308. He became the first person to knockout Holloway, as he showed off his insane power.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 28, 2024

If Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is eventually booked, count Sean O’Malley in. The former UFC bantamweight champion was watching Topuria put his featherweight gold at stake against Max Holloway. The two collided in Abu Dhabi this past Saturday. Going into the fight, Topuria vowed to be the first man to knock Max Holloway out.

Josh Evanoff - October 25, 2024

UFC President Dana White doesn’t want to see Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev just yet. ‘El Matador’ is set to return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 308 this Saturday night. Back for the first time since winning featherweight gold against Alexander Volkanovski in February, Ilia Topuria will face Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ earned the title opportunity with a knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April.

Josh Evanoff - October 24, 2024

UFC President Dana White has co-signed on Islam Makhachev’s future welterweight move. The Russian has been out of the cage since a June title defense against Dustin Poirier. In the main event of UFC 302, Islam Makhachev faced ‘The Diamond’ in the latter’s third crack at undisputed gold. Despite some resistance from the challenger, the lightweight champion wound up securing a fifth-round submission victory.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2024

Arman Tsarukyan would not put Islam Makhachev at the top of the pound-for-pound list. UFC CEO Dana White has been peeved at the fact that Makhachev is ahead of Jon Jones at the top of the list. While White puts the blame on the media, many reporters have criticized the UFC for the rankings panel choices over the years. Nevertheless, White’s narrative stands and he plans to change up the ranking system.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 18, 2024

Arman Tsarukyan has detailed how he can dethrone Islam Makhachev. Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion. He defeated Charles Oliveira via second-round submission to capture the gold back in October 2022. He’s had three successful title defenses since that fight.