Islam Makhachev News

Ilia Topuria, Alexander Volkanovski
Ilia Topuria

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.

Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev

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, Islam Makhachev, UFC 294, UFC
Islam Makhachev

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 Islam Makhachev
Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland blasts Islam Makhachev over middleweight talk: 'Go back to f***ing Dagestan'

Fernando Quiles - 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
Justin Gaethje

Islam Makhachev shares preference on who he wants to fight next: 'I like this idea'

Fernando Quiles - 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.

Max Holloway Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev

Ranked UFC lightweight says Max Holloway can give Islam Makhachev problems: 'There are things that could be difficult'

Fernando Quiles - 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 Arman Tsarukyan
Daniel Cormier

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.

Islam Makhachev
Javier Mendez

Javier Mendez reveals one thing he doesn't like about Islam Makhachev's sparring sessions

Fernando Quiles - 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 Belal Muhammad Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev

Kamaru Usman scoffs at notion that Islam Makhachev & Belal Muhammad can't fight due to training ties

Fernando Quiles - 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, Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev

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 Umar Nurmagomedov
UFC

Islam Makhachev reacts to Umar Nurmagomedov's UFC 311 loss against Merab Dvalishvili

Fernando Quiles - 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.

Islam Makhachev vs Renato Moicano
Renato Moicano

Renato Moicano issues statement following UFC 311 loss against Islam Makhachev

Fernando Quiles - 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.

Dricus Du Plessis, Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev

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.

Islam Makhachev
Renato Moicano

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.

Islam Makhachev Khabib Nurmagomedov
Renato Moicano

UFC 311 Results: Islam Makhachev stops Renato Moicano (Video)

Chris Taylor - January 18, 2025

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 311 results, including the main event lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Renato Moicano. Makhachev (26-1 MMA) was originally slated to square off with Arman Tsarukyan in tonight’s main event. However, the Armenian was forced to withdraw from the contest on Friday morning due to injury.

UFC 311, Results, Islam Makhachev, Renato Moicano, Results, UFC
Renato Moicano

UFC 311: 'Makhachev vs. Moicano' Live Results and Highlights

Chris Taylor - January 18, 2025

The Octagon returns to Inglewood for tonight’s UFC 311 event, a 13-bout fight card headlined by Islam Makhachev vs Renato Moicano. Makhachev (26-1 MMA) was originally slated to square off with Arman Tsarukyan in tonight’s main event. However, the Armenian was forced to withdraw from the contest on Friday morning due to injury.

Renato Moicano
Renato Moicano

Renato Moicano sends message to Islam Makhachev ahead of shock UFC 311 title fight: "Tomorrow is money time!"

Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2025

Renato Moicano has sent a warning to Islam Makhachev ahead of their UFC 311 title fight. The man known to fans as ‘Money Moicano’ has received the opportunity of a lifetime. Fresh off a stoppage victory over Benoit Saint-Denis in September, Renato Moicano was initially set to meet Beneil Dariush on Saturday. However, due to an injury to Arman Tsarukyan, the Brazilian has now been bumped to the main event.

Islam Makhachev
UFC

Islam Makhachev releases short statement after UFC 311 main event switch: "The meaning of Pound-For-Pound"

Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2025

Islam Makhachev has released a statement following UFC 311’s main event shakeup. The Russian is set to return to the octagon in tomorrow night’s main event in Las Vegas. Back for the first time since scoring a submission win over Dustin Poirier last June, Islam Makhachev was set to meet Arman Tsarukyan. The UFC lightweight champion famously defeated the Armenian by unanimous decision in St. Petersburg back in 2019.