Islam Makhachev News
Islam Makhachev not worried about fighting without Khabib at UFC 284
Andrew Whitelaw - February 1, 2023
When the cage door slams shut on Islam Makhachev for his UFC 284 clash with Alexander Volkanovski in Perth this month, the Dagestani will be without Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner. ‘The Eagle’ has mentored the UFC lightweight champion for the majority of his career and has helped oversee the 31-year-old’s incredible 11-fight winning streak that culminated in Makhachev sealing the 155 lb title at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi.
Hasbulla makes prediction for Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284
Andrew Whitelaw - February 1, 2023
Hasbulla has had his say on Islam Makhachev’s upcoming UFC lightweight title defence against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284. The bout will be the Dagestani’s first defence of his title since he won it at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi by submitting Charles Oliveira. The 31-year-old has been close to Hasbulla for a long-time, “He’s my neighbour. He was really very close with me. I know him like, more than 10 years,” Makhachev told BT Sport in 2021.
Alexander Volkanovski believes Islam Makhachev underestimating him heading into UFC 284: "That face quickly changes when I’m in the octagon"
Josh Evanoff - January 26, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski believes Islam Makhachev is underestimating him. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since his trilogy bout with Max Holloway last July. In that outing at UFC 276, Volkanovski dominated en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory. In the process, closing the chapter on his rivalry with ‘Blessed’ at three victories to none.
Islam Makhachev opens up on Khabib Nurmagomedov's MMA exit: "I've fought without him a couple of times"
Lewis Simpson - January 23, 2023
Islam Makhachev has shared his feelings on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s exit from mixed martial arts. Following his retirement from competition, Nurmagomedov remained heavily involved in the world of MMA, taking over the coaching role of his late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Charles Oliveira targeting return in March or April to earn rematch against Islam Makhachev: "I'm one fight away from him"
Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2023
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is gearing up for a busy year. ‘Do Bronx’ has been out of action since his lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 in October. The Brazilian was famously previously stripped of his 155-pound championship in May, prior to a title defense against Justin Gaethje.
Josh Thomson shares the one fighter capable of dethroning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev: “He's the only one”
Susan Cox - January 9, 2023
Josh Thomson is sharing the one fighter he feels is capable of dethroning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Islam Makhachev (23-1 MMA) is set to battle it out with featherweight title holder Alexander Volkanovski (25-1 MMA) on Saturday, February 11th at UFC 284. The lightweight main event title bout will take place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Coach Javier Mendez doesn't expect Islam Makhachev to finish Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284
Lewis Simpson - January 6, 2023
Coach Javier Mendez doesn’t expect his student Islam Makhachev to run through Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia. Makhachev achieved a lifelong dream of becoming the undisputed UFC lightweight champion at UFC 280 in October of last year. The 31-year-old submitted Charles Oliveira in the second round to attain the crown his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov once held.
Daniel Cormier explains why Alex Volkanovski defeating Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 would qualify as the "biggest" upset in MMA history
Christopher Taylor - January 5, 2023
Daniel Cormier believes Alex Volkanovski defeating Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 would qualify as the “biggest” upset in MMA history. Volkanovski (25-1 MMA), the UFC’s current featherweight kingpin, will move up a weight class to challenge the reigning lightweight champion in Makhachev (23-1 MMA) on February 12 at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia.
Sean O’Malley says he has a “weird feeling” about the upcoming Alex Volkanovski vs. Islam Makhachev title fight at UFC 284
Harry Kettle - January 3, 2023
Sean O’Malley has said he has a weird feeling about the upcoming match-up between Alex Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev. At UFC 284 next month, Alex Volkanovski will lock horns with Islam Makhachev. In the eyes of many, this gives Makhachev the chance to solidify himself as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the UFC.
Charles Oliveira makes his pick for Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev title fight
Andrew Whitelaw - December 29, 2022
Charles Oliveira has had his say on the winner of Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev. In what is one of the most eagerly-anticipated matches of 2023, The Australian will welcome the lightweight champion to Perth at UFC 284. ‘The Great’ will be competing at 155lb for the first time in his UFC career despite having fought as heavy as welterweight early in his career.
Bobby Green accuses Islam Makhachev of taking steroids from a young age: "There was something interesting about Islam"
Lewis Simpson - December 15, 2022
Bobby Green has accused UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev of taking steroids from a very young age. Green, who collides with Drew Dober this Saturday in Las Vegas, spent some time during his pre-fight media obligations claiming his most-recent opponent, Makhachev, had taken steroids in the past. The pair met earlier this year at UFC Vegas 49, where Makhachev scored a TKO victory in the opening round.
Islam Makhachev reacts to Paddy Pimblett’s controversial decision win at UFC 282
Susan Cox - December 14, 2022
Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has reacted to Paddy Pimblett’s controversial decision win at UFC 282. As have several fans and fighters alike, Islam Makhachev is also weighing in on the Liverpudlian’s most recent victory at UFC 282.
Rafael dos Anjos “can’t understand” why Islam Makhachev is fighting Alex Volkanovski instead of taking “a real challenge” at lightweight
Harry Kettle - December 6, 2022
Rafael dos Anjos has questioned Islam Makhachev for taking on Alex Volkanovski in his next fight at lightweight. In the aftermath of his win at UFC 280, it didn’t take long for Islam Makhachev to get his next fight booked.
Rafael dos Anjos explains why he “wouldn’t be sad” if Islam Makhachev fight never comes to fruition
Harry Kettle - December 1, 2022
Rafael dos Anjos has explained why he wouldn’t be upset if a fight between himself and Islam Makhachev never happens. On multiple occasions across the last few years, Rafael dos Anjos and Islam Makhachev have been scheduled to fight one another. However, for whatever reason, it hasn’t quite come to fruition – whether it be due to injury or outside factors.
Coach explains why Charles Oliveira turned down Islam Makhachev rematch at UFC 283: “There’s an emotional stress”
Harry Kettle - November 30, 2022
Charles Oliveira’s coach and manager Diego Lima has revealed his student turned down an immediate rematch with Islam Makhachev. Back at UFC 280 last month, Charles Oliveira was submitted by Islam Makhachev in the main event of the evening. The result, as we know, meant that Makhachev captured the UFC lightweight championship.
Israel Adesanya explains why he strongly favors Alex Volkanovski to beat Islam Makhachev at UFC 284: “I could bet my whole house on him”
Harry Kettle - November 29, 2022
Israel Adesanya has explained why he’s confident Alex Volkanovski can defeat Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. In less than three months, Alex Volkanovski will attempt to become a two-weight UFC champion. When doing so, he will challenge Islam Makhachev.
Javier Mendez believes Islam Makhachev got ranked too high, too early in pound-for-pound rankings: "They gave him this just because of one fight"
Cole Shelton - November 27, 2022
Javier Mendez, the coach of Islam Makhachev, doesn’t like how highly ranked his pupil is in the pound-for-pound rankings. Makhachev is ranked second in the UFC’s official pound-for-pound rankings following his submission win over Charles Oliveira to win the lightweight title. Yet, before the fight, Makhachev was not even in the pound-for-pound rankings so his coach doesn’t like how quickly, and how high the champ was put on the pound-for-pound list.
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski officially announced as UFC 284 main event
Cole Shelton - November 12, 2022
Islam Makhachev has his first title defense set. After Makhachev won the vacant title at UFC 280 with a submission win over Charles Oliveira, he called out featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski. The Aussie was the backup fighter for the card and the two had a staredown after Makhachev’s win.