Islam Makhachev News
Islam Makhachev downplays future fight against fellow UFC champion Ilia Topuria: "What will that do for me?"
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.
Paddy Pimblett opens up on future fight against UFC champion Islam Makhachev: "Obviously I think I'd beat him"
Josh Evanoff - November 26, 2024
Paddy Pimblett believes he can defeat UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. ‘The Baddy’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a trip to Manchester in July. On the UFC 304 main card, Paddy Pimblett faced off with longtime lightweight contender Bobby Green. Heading into the contest, ‘King’ was seen as the biggest test of the Brit’s career. For his part, Green was fresh off a dominant win over Jim Miller in April at UFC 300.
Islam Makhachev hits out at Conor McGregor following civil case defeat
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.
Jon Anik explains why he believes Islam Makhachev deserves #1 P4P spot in UFC
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.
REPORT | Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 official for UFC 311 in Los Angeles
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.
Javier Mendez says Khamzat Chimaev is on same level of Khabib Nurmagomedov & Islam Makhachev despite style differences
Fernando Quiles - November 4, 2024
Renowned American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez has some big praise for Khamzat Chimaev. While Chimaev dazzled MMA fans with his red hot UFC start, illnesses halted his momentum. Perhaps mother nature can only hope to contain “Borz,” as he bounced back to deliver the most impressive performance of his fighting career. He injured Robert Whittaker’s bottom teeth to the point where “The Reaper” was forced to tap out as soon as a face crank was applied.
Alexander Volkanovski believes Ilia Topuria could KO Islam Makhachev if he tries champ-champ status
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.
Sean O’Malley makes case for Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria: "You can't tell me that isn't a fight you would want to see"
Fernando Quiles - 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.
Dana White reveals he'll "absolutely" approve Islam Makhachev welterweight title shot with win over Arman Tsarukyan
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.
Max Holloway confirms interest in Islam Makhachev fight following UFC 308: "I want all the smoke"
Josh Evanoff - October 22, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Max Holloway has his eyes on lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. This Saturday night in Abu Dhabi, ‘Blessed’ will make the walk to the cage once again. Back for the first time since an April knockout over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, Max Holloway will meet Ilia Topuria. For his part, ‘El Matador’ claimed the featherweight gold with a stunning stoppage win over Alexander Volkanovski in February.
Arman Tsarukyan scoffs at Islam Makhachev being ahead of Jon Jones in P4P debate
Fernando Quiles - 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.
Arman Tsarukyan reveals how he can defeat Islam Makhachev in UFC title fight
Fernando Quiles - 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.
Ilia Topuria opens up on future clash with fellow UFC champion Islam Makhachev: "Pay for his medical bills"
Josh Evanoff - October 3, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria wants to meet Islam Makhachev in the octagon. ‘El Matador’ has been out of the cage since winning featherweight gold at UFC 298 in February. In the main event, Ilia Topuria scored a second-round knockout victory over longtime champion Alexander Volkanovski. For his first title defense, the young star will face ‘BMF’ titleholder Max Holloway later this month.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals Islam Makhachev has accepted January title defense: "Best fighter in the world"
Josh Evanoff - September 30, 2024
According to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev will make his UFC return in January. The UFC lightweight champion hasn’t appeared in the cage since a clash with Dustin Poirier in early June. Islam Makhachev entered the main event as a massive betting favorite but dealt with more resistance than many expected. Still, the champion closed the show in round five with a submission victory over ‘The Diamond’.
Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier believe now is the time for UFC champion Islam Makhachev to do a heel turn: “I think that’s the move”
Harry Kettle - September 25, 2024
Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier believe now is the time for Islam Makhachev to take on a more villainous persona. Islam Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion and he has earned that title. He defeated Charles Oliveira to capture the strap before going on to defend it against the likes of Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier.
Islam Makhachev laughs off the possibility of Conor McGregor returning to the UFC: "It's already a fantasy"
Josh Evanoff - September 17, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev believes Conor McGregor won’t fight again. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of the cage for over three years now. Conor McGregor last appeared in the octagon in July 2021, suffering a broken leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. Since then, the Irishman has repeatedly called for a return to the cage. Luckily, he was finally booked for his comeback earlier this summer.
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Islam Makhachev 2 will reportedly take place “early next year”
Harry Kettle - September 9, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan vs Islam Makhachev 2 is reportedly set to take place early next year for the UFC world title. Right now, Islam Makhachev is considered by many to be the pound for pound best fighter in the UFC. While you may or may not agree with that assessment, there’s no way of denying what he’s been able to achieve as UFC lightweight champion.
Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov picks Islam Makhachev over Jon Jones in UFC pound-for-pound debate
Fernando Quiles - September 6, 2024
Usman Nurmagomedov has weighed in on the pound-for-pound debate. At the top of the official UFC pound-for-pound rankings currently is UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. UFC light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira has the number two spot, while Jon Jones sits at number three.