Islam Makhachev News
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.
Islam Makhachev responds to Dana White teasing something big for his next fight
Harry Kettle - February 14, 2025
UFC champion Islam Makhachev has responded to Dana White teasing something big for his next fight in the promotion. As we know, Islam Makhachev is the pound for pound best fighter in the UFC right now – and potentially in all of mixed martial arts. He continues to dominate at the elite level, serving as one of the best lightweights of all time. Of course, fans are always ready to look ahead to the future, and many want to know what’s next for 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.
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.
Chael Sonnen is convinced that Islam Makhachev is eager to leave lightweight division
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2025
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has explained why he believes Islam Makhachev is eager to leave the lightweight division. Islam Makhachev is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship right now. He’s also the UFC lightweight champion. Oh, and he’s also heavily teased the idea of moving up in search of a second world title. So, in summary, he’s pretty busy these days.
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.
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.
Ranked UFC lightweight says Max Holloway can give Islam Makhachev problems: 'There are things that could be difficult'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 24, 2025
One top-10 UFC lightweight has explained why he feels Max Holloway could make things interesting against Islam Makhachev. Makhachev recently broke the record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses. He was expected to meet Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311, but the challenger was removed due to a back injury. Renato Moicano stepped up and he was submitted in the opening frame.
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.
Kamaru Usman scoffs at notion that Islam Makhachev & Belal Muhammad can't fight due to training ties
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 20, 2025
Kamaru Usman doesn’t believe that Islam Makhachev should hesitate to fight Belal Muhammad. Makhachev recently set a new record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses in the promotion’s history. With how dominant he has been at 155 pounds, many believe it’s only a matter of time before he tries his hand at welterweight. Makhachev has even said that his dream is to become a two-division UFC champion.
Charles Oliveira reacts to Islam Makhachev's main event win at UFC 311
Harry Kettle - January 20, 2025
UFC star Charles Oliveira has given his thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s victory in the main event of UFC 311. As we know, Charles Oliveira is one of the biggest stars in the Ultimate Fighting Championship right now. He’s a veteran, he’s a former world champion, and he’s eager to prove that he still has what it takes to win a belt at 155 pounds. Following his win over Michael Chandler, he’s also seen by many as one of the leading contenders for a future title shot against Islam Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev reacts to Umar Nurmagomedov's UFC 311 loss against Merab Dvalishvili
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 19, 2025
Islam Makhachev has shared his reaction to Umar Nurmagomedov’s first career defeat. Makhachev and Nurmagomedov were both in title fights on the UFC 311 card this past Saturday night. Makhachev successfully defended his UFC Lightweight Championship against Renato Moicano in the main event. Just prior to his walkout, Makhachev witnessed Nurmagomedov drop a unanimous decision to bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili in the co-headliner.
Renato Moicano issues statement following UFC 311 loss against Islam Makhachev
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 19, 2025
Renato Moicano has briefly spoken out following his first-round submission loss against Islam Makhachev. Moicano was given a golden opportunity this past Saturday night. Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, was scheduled to face Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 311 headliner. Plans changed when Tsarukyan pulled out of the title fight due to a back injury. Since Moicano was able to make championship weight, he was called upon to replace Tsarukyan.
Islam Makhachev calls out Dricus du Plessis as he teases double champ push
Harry Kettle - January 19, 2025
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has teased the idea of moving all the way up to middleweight. Last night, Islam Makhachev became the most decorated lightweight in UFC history. He did so by successfully defending his belt for a fourth time, submitting Renato Moicano in what proved to be a dominant performance.
Pros react after Islam Makhachev subs Renato Moicano at UFC 311
Chris Taylor - January 18, 2025
Tonight’s UFC 311 pay-per-view event was headlined by a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Renato Moicano. Makhachev (27-1 MMA) was be looking to earn his fourth consecutive title defense this evening in California. The Russian standout was coming off stoppage wins over Dustin Poirier and Alexander Volkanovski in his most previous Octagon appearances.