Islam Makhachev News
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.
Chael Sonnen believes that Islam Makhachev could retire regardless of the outcome at UFC 284
Zain Bando - January 13, 2023
Chael Sonnen is anticipating that Islam Makhachev could retire regardless of the outcome at UFC 284 in February. Makhachev won the UFC lightweight title with an upset over Charles Oliveira in October of 2022, thus kickstarting a new era at 155 pounds. He’ll defend his lightweight title against featherweight superstar, Alexander Volkanovski. With the news of Khabib Nurmagomedov completely removing himself from the sport of MMA, per multiple reports, Sonnen believes that it’s entirely possible that one of Nurmagomedov’s pupils could follow suite and find a new chapter in their professional life. With the news surrounding Nurmagomedov, Makhachev will not see the former lightweight champion in his corner come fight night.
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.
Chael Sonnen explains why Alex Volkanovski defeating Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 wouldn’t be that big of an upset: “How would that be shocking news?”
Harry Kettle - January 3, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has explained why Alex Volkanovski beating Islam Makhachev shouldn’t be seen as a big upset. At UFC 284, Alex Volkanovski will challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title. If he manages to pull off the win, he’ll become a two-weight UFC champion after already capturing the featherweight crown.
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.
Paddy Pimblett believes he "would've put up a better fight" than Charles Oliveira did against Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2022
Paddy Pimblett wasn’t impressed with Charles Oliveira’s performance against Islam Makhachev. In the main event of UFC 280, Oliveira and Makhachev were fighting for the lightweight title – the division where Pimblett fights in – and Makhachev ended up winning by second-round submission. It was a great performance from Makhachev who dominated the fight from start to finish. Yet, for Pimblett, he was more surprised at Oliveira’s lack of performance. With that, he thinks he would’ve done better than the Brazilian did.
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.
Joe Rogan explains how Alex Volkanovski can “probably” pose problems for Islam Makhachev at UFC 284
Harry Kettle - November 29, 2022
Joe Rogan has given his thoughts on how Alex Volkanovski could pose a problem for Islam Makhachev when they fight. It’s clear for many to see that Islam Makhachev will be the favourite against Alex Volkanovski. The pair will meet at UFC 284 in Perth with the UFC lightweight championship being on the line.
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.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals plans to be active ahead of Islam Makhachev superfight: "I'm at my peak right now"
Josh Evanoff - November 11, 2022
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski believes he’s in his prime, and he’s not going to waste it. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since his victory over Max Holloway in July. Following that victory, he announced his intentions to move to the lightweight division. Those plans were temporarily put on hold as he had to get surgery on an injured hand.