Islam Makhachev News

Harry Kettle - July 26, 2021

Rafael dos Anjos has responded to being labelled a grandpa by Islam Makhachev as their war of words continues. Makhachev and dos Anjos have been booked to fight one another on two separate occasions but due to COVID-19 and an injury setback, the bout hasn’t actually taken place. The two lightweights are viewed by many as great contenders in their own right, although there’s an argument to be made that RDA is the “past” and Makhachev is the future – based on the trajectory of their careers, that is.

Adam D Martin - July 23, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Thiago Moises called out Dan Hooker following his recent submission loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 31. Moises, the No. 15 ranked lightweight in the UFC, saw his three-fight win streak snapped when he lost via fourth-round tapout to Makhachev at last weekend’s UFC Vegas 31 card. Of course, there is no shame in losing to Makhachev, the No. 5 ranked lightweight who many believe is a future world champion. Even though Moises didn’t fare well in the fight, he has still developed quite a bit of confidence just by hanging around with a stud like Makhachev for nearly four rounds, and now he’s ready to fight other top-10 opponents.

Adam D Martin - July 22, 2021

Rafael dos Anjos says he wants to beat Islam Makhachev at UFC 267 and then get the rematch with his teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov. Dos Anjos and Nurmagomedov fought back in 2014, with Nurmagomedov winning the fight via unanimous decision. However, in a twist of fate, Nurmagomedov suffered an injury following that fight, and dos Anjos actually got the chance to fight for the UFC lightweight belt before him, defeating Anthony Pettis to take home the title in 2015. Dos Anjos would lose the belt in 2016 to Eddie Alvarez, and Nurmagomedov finally claimed it himself in 2018 when he defeated Al Iaquinta. Although Nurmagomedov is now retired from MMA, dos Anjos still wants this rematch one day in order to avenge his earlier career defeat.

Adam D Martin - July 21, 2021

The UFC Vegas 31 rankings update has dropped, and lightweight Islam Makhachev moved to No. 4 at 155lbs while Conor McGregor dropped to No. 9. Makhachev was the No. 9 ranked lightweight going into his main event matchup against No. 14 ranked Thiago Moises at last weekend’s UFC Vegas 31 event. After defeating Moises in the fourth round by submission to pick up his eighth straight win, the rankers rewarded the Russian for his long winning streak by bumping him up five spots all the way to No. 4 in the division. With Makhachev moving way up the rankings, someone else had to be bumped down. Tony Ferguson moved down to No. 6, Rafael dos Anjos moved to No. 7, and McGregor dropped all the way to No. 9. There was also a small swap at the bottom of the rankings as Arman Tsarukyan went to No. 14 and Moises fell down to the No. 15 spot.

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021

Emerging title contender Islam Makhachev poked fun at his fellow lightweight contenders following their “radio silence” after his callouts. Makhachev defeated Thiago Moises via fourth-round submission in the main event of UFC Vegas 31 this past Saturday night to pick up his eighth straight win in the Octagon. With a 9-1 record now in the UFC, Makhachev has cemented himself as one of the elite lightweights in the sport. However, since he’s ranked No. 9 in the division, he needs to start fighting the fighters ranked higher than him if he wants to get a title shot. Some of those potential opponents include the likes of Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, and Rafael dos Anjos, all of who Makhachev called out following his big win over Moises on Saturday.

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker says he “got bored” watching Islam Makhachev fight Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31. Hooker is the No. 8 ranked lightweight in the UFC and right behind him at No. 9 is Makhachev, who defeated Moises via fourth-round submission in the headliner of this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 31 card. Speaking to Submission Radio following Makhachev’s win, Hooker was asked if he is interested in facing Makhachev next. While Hooker knows this fight is possible just based on the rankings, Hooker says he was “bored” watching Makhachev fight against Moises and can’t imagine what his New Zealand fans would think if they ever fought on his home soil, unlike someone who is a striker such as Paul Felder.

Adam Martin - July 18, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev released a statement following his submission win over Thiago Moises at UFC Vegas 31. Makhachev defeated Moises in the fourth round with a rear-naked choke in his first UFC five-round main event. It was the eighth win in a row for the Russian and he improved his overall UFC record to 9-1 in victory. At this point, Makhachev is clearly one of the top-10 lightweights in the sport and he might even be a top-five fighter right now. In fact, his friend and training partner, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, recently said that he believes Makhachev is the best fighter at 155lbs in the entire UFC.

Cole Shelton - July 18, 2021

In the main event of UFC Vegas 31, rising lightweight contenders met as Islam Makhachev took on Thiago Moises. Makhahcev entered the fight coming off a dominant third-round submission win over Drew Dober back at UFC 259. He has been called a future champion by his protégé Khabib Nurmagomedov and has looked like it so far. Moises, meanwhile, was coming off wins over Alexander Hernandez, Bobby Green, and Michael Johnson.

Adam D Martin - July 18, 2021

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov outlined the plan for Islam Makhachev to be named the 2021 fighter of the year in MMA. Makhachev defeated Thiago Moises via fourth-round submission at UFC Vegas 31 on Saturday in what was arguably his coming-out party. Makhachev now has a 9-1 record in the UFC with an eight-fight win streak and he is quickly emerging as one of the best fighters in the division in the post-Nurmagomedov world. In fact, his longtime friend and training partner is so confident in Makhachev’s abilities that he believes he has what it takes to be the fighter of the year in 2021, although he knows it will be an uphill battle.

Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021

Islam Makhachev is hoping to resolve the unfinished business of his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov following his win over Thiago Moises at UFC Vegas 31. Makhachev (20-1 MMA) and Moises (15-5 MMA) squared off in the headliner of tonight’s UFC event in Las Vegas. The result was an eighth straight victory for the Russian standout, who submitted Thiago with a rear-naked choke midway through the fourth of their fight.

Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021

The Octagon remained in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event, a 10-bout fight card headline by Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises. The highly anticipated lightweight main event resulted in Makhachev’s eighth win in a row, as the Russian standout was able to finish Moises with a submission in round four.

Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event was headlined by a key lightweight bout between perennial division contenders Islam Makhachev and Thiago Moises. Makhachev (20-1 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since UFC 259, where he had scored a third round submission victory over Drew Dober. The Russian standout was riding a seven fight unbeaten streak into tonight’s headliner.

Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021

The Octagon remains in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event, a ten-bout fight card headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises. Makhachev (19-1 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since UFC 259, where he scored a third round submission victory over Drew Dober. The Russian standout has gone a perfect 7-0 since suffering his first career loss back at UFC 192 in October of 2015.

Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event is down to a total of 10 contests following a last minute fight cancellation. Men’s bantamweight fighters Miles Johns and Anderson Dos Santos were expected to collide on today’s fight night prelims. However, due to a positive Covid test in the Brazilians camp, the fight has been called off for precautionary reasons.

Adam D Martin - July 16, 2021

The official weigh-ins for UFC Vegas 31 took place on Friday in Las Vegas, Nevada, and all 22 fighters scheduled to compete have made weight. In the main event of the evening, No. 9 ranked UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev puts his seven-fight win streak on the line when he takes on the No. 14 ranked Thiago Moises. Makhachev and Moises both successfully made weight on Friday, with each man coming in at 155.5lbs and 156lbs, respectively. This will be the first five-round fight for each fighter during their UFC careers and the winner should get a top-10 opponent. Keep in mind the original main event for UFC Vegas 31 was supposed to be Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez, but that fight fell off and Makhachev and Moises got bumped up.

Adam D Martin - July 16, 2021

Top contender Islam Makhachev says he plans on smashing Thiago Moises at UFC Vegas 31 and then fight for the UFC lightweight title in 2022. Makhachev is the No. 9 ranked lightweight on the UFC roster and this Saturday night he takes on the No. 14 ranked Moises in the main event of the UFC Vegas 31 event. Makhachev is 8-1 overall in the UFC and currently riding a seven-fight win streak, so a victory over Moises would give him a very impressive resume and some will argue that he deserves to fight for the belt. With Makhachev’s longtime friend, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, now retired, Makhachev has a clear path to the belt.

Adam D Martin - July 15, 2021

Islam Makhachev would “maul” Charles Oliveira and “finish” Dustin Poirier, says former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Makhachev returns to the Octagon this Saturday night in the main event of UFC Vegas 31 against fellow top-15 ranked lightweight Thiago Moises. For Makhachev, he is now 8-1 in the UFC and currently riding a seven-fight win streak, so a win over Moises will likely earn him an elite opponent his next time out. With Nurmagomedov now retired, Makhachev has a clear path to get to the top of the division without fighting his friend and training partner.

Cole Shelton - July 14, 2021

Check out the complete betting odds for this Saturday’s UFC Vegas 31 card featuring a lightweight bout between Islam Makhachev and Thiago Moises. In the main event of UFC Vegas 31, Islam Makhachev will headline his first UFC card as the top-10 contender will battle 14th ranked, Thiago Moises. Makhachev is coming off a submission win over Drew Dober and is riding a seven-fight winning streak. The Dagestani native is 8-1 in the UFC and holds notable wins over Arman Tsaryukan, Davi Ramos, and Gleison Tibau. Moises, meanwhile, is on a three-fight winning skid as he’s coming off back-to-back decision wins over Alexander Hernandez and Bobby Green. The former RFA lightweight champ also holds notable wins over Michael Johnson and Kurt Holobaugh.