Islam Makhachev News

Harry Kettle - January 3, 2025

UFC 311 is right around the corner as we get ready for two blockbuster championship fights in California. Event: UFC 311: Makhachev vs Tsarukyan 2 Date: Saturday, 18th January 2025 Location: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, California) Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV, ESPN2, ESPN+ (10pm EST main card)

Harry Kettle - January 2, 2025

Ali Abdelaziz has said that he believes Islam Makhachev is capable of defeating Alex Pereira in a light heavyweight fight. As we know, Islam Makhachev is one of the most dominant champions in mixed martial arts. Next weekend at UFC 311, he’ll put his UFC lightweight championship on the line once again when he locks horns with top contender Arman Tsarukyan.

Harry Kettle - December 31, 2024

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov rated Islam Makhachev at a 4/5 after a recent training session ahead of UFC 311. The great Khabib Nurmagomedov has done some wonderful things in mixed martial arts. In addition to retiring with an unbeaten 29-0 record, he’s also helped train the next generation of superstars. Some are his own family members, and others are his close friends, such as Islam Makhachev.

Fernando Quiles - December 27, 2024

A former UFC “champ-champ” believes Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria could be even bigger than Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall. Many fans have been clamoring for Jones vs. Aspinall given that it would settle who is the best heavyweight in the UFC. “Bones” holds the main title, while Aspinall has his hands on interim gold. While UFC CEO Dana White is looking to make that title unification bout a reality in 2025, is it possible that another mega fight tops that one?

Fernando Quiles - December 24, 2024

Paddy Pimblett wasn’t exactly blown away by Islam Makhachev’s submission victory over Dustin Poirier. Back in June, Makhachev defended his UFC Lightweight Championship against “The Diamond.” The title fight headlined UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey. It wasn’t an easy fight for Makhachev, but he held his own before locking up a choke for the finish in the final round.

Fernando Quiles - 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 - 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 - 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.

Fernando Quiles - December 17, 2024

Islam Makhachev believes he will score a finish over Arman Tsarukyan in their scheduled rematch. Makhachev is set to put his lightweight gold at stake against Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The title clash will be held on January 18th.

Fernando Quiles - 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 - 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 - 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.

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.

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.

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.