Islam Makhachev News
Charles Oliveira makes sense for next UFC lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev, says coach
Fernando Quiles - July 7, 2024
Charles Oliveira’s coach believes there is a good case to make for “do Bronx” receiving the next UFC Lightweight Championship opportunity against Islam Makhachev. Oliveira is coming off a split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 back in April. Tsarukyan is currently serving a suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for a fan altercation.
Dustin Poirier challenges Islam Makhachev to a rematch, responds to “bumskie” Conor McGregor
Susan Cox - July 1, 2024
Dustin Poirier is challenging Islam Makhachev to a rematch and in the process is responding to ‘bumskie’ Conor McGregor. ‘The Diamond’ (30-9 MMA) fought Makhachev (26-1 MMA) in a lightweight bout a month ago today at UFC 302. The result was a submission victory for the Makhachev, the lightweight champion, at 2:42 of Round 5.
Islam Makhachev blasts "chicken" Conor McGregor after Irishman reveals the injury that forced him out of UFC 303
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has taken aim at ‘chicken’ Conor McGregor. McGregor was supposed to make his highly-anticipated return on June 29 against Michael Chandler. However, just weeks before the fight, it was revealed the Irishman was forced out of the bout due to an undisclosed reason.
Rafael dos Anjos explains why Islam Makhachev can't be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2024
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos doesn’t think Islam Makhachev should be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion and after he submitted Dustin Poirier, fans called for the 155lbs champ to be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. However, UFC CEO Dana White shot that down as he believes Jon Jones should still be atop those rankings.
Conor McGregor alleges Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier PPV underperformed: "A nothing burger"
Curtis Calhoun - June 11, 2024
Conor McGregor alleges he has inside information that UFC 302, featuring Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier, was a low pay-per-view draw. Makhachev defeated Poirier by fifth-round submission to retain the UFC lightweight title in Newark earlier this month. It was a back-and-forth battle for as long as the fight lasted before Makhachev put his foot on the gas pedal and smothered Poirier with just minutes left on the clock.
Dustin Poirier compares skillsets of Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2024
UFC star Dustin Poirier has compared the skillsets of former opponents Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Earlier this month, Dustin Poirier fell to submission defeat at the hands of Islam Makhachev. Of course, as we know, earlier in his career, Poirier was also submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov. Despite losing in both instances, he put up a real fight against these two legends and you could argue he came close to winning both times.
Daniel Cormier on why it's "unfair" to compare Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov's UFC accolades
Curtis Calhoun - June 6, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier feels the comparisons between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev are unfounded. Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier in his latest UFC lightweight title defense at UFC 302 last weekend. Nurmagomedov, who retired in 2020 and entered the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022, was front-and-center to witness Makhachev’s latest victory.
Islam Makhachev hits back at "attention seeker" Arman Tsarukyan after post-UFC 302 taunts
Curtis Calhoun - June 6, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is increasingly annoyed with Arman Tsarukyan’s public taunts. Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier in the UFC 302 main event on Saturday in Newark. He remains the UFC’s pound-for-pound king after his latest successful title defense and will likely face Tsarukyan later this year.
Islam Makhachev's coach explains why staph infection before UFC 302 wasn't a big deal for them
Cole Shelton - June 5, 2024
Javier Mendez, the head coach of Islam Makhachev says his fighter getting staph before UFC 302 wasn’t a big deal to them. Makhachev was headlining UFC 302 against Dustin Poirier as he was looking to defend his lightweight title for the third time. Heading into the fight, Makhachev was a sizeable betting favorite, but on fight week, a photo went viral of him apparently having a staph infection.
Islam Makhachev gets P4P endorsement from Alexander Volkanovski amidst Jon Jones debate: "There has to be activity there..."
Curtis Calhoun - June 5, 2024
Former UFC featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski feels his two-time foe, Islam Makhachev, deserves the pound-for-pound nod over Jon Jones. Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier by fifth-round submission to retain the UFC lightweight belt at UFC 302. He remains the UFC’s pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter as of this writing, with Jones in the No. 2 spot.
Eddie Alvarez makes bold prediction for Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2
Fernando Quiles - June 5, 2024
Eddie Alvarez has made his prediction for a possible rematch between UFC lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. Makhachev and Tsarukyan had a competitive showdown back in 2019. Makhachev emerged victorious via unanimous decision. While Makhachev has gone on to become a UFC champion with three successful title defenses, Tsarukyan hasn’t done too bad either, going 9-1 since that encounter.
Arman Tsarukyan believes Dustin Poirier “just gave up” in fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302: “Why are you giving up your neck?”
Harry Kettle - June 5, 2024
UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan has questioned Dustin Poirier’s strategy in the final round of his title fight with Islam Makhachev. Last weekend in the main event of UFC 302, Dustin Poirier battled it out with Islam Makhachev over the UFC lightweight championship. The contest proved to be much closer than many had anticipated, but in the end, it was Makhachev who got the win with a late submission triumph.
Islam Makhachev reacts after Dana White claims Jon Jones is still the best pound for pound fighter in the UFC
Harry Kettle - June 4, 2024
Islam Makhachev has given his thoughts on Dana White claiming that Jon Jones is still the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. Last weekend, Islam Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302. In doing so, he successfully retained his UFC lightweight championship. Of course, he had to face some adversity in order to get the job done, as you’d expect against someone like ‘The Diamond’.
What's next for the stars of UFC 302?
Cole Shelton - June 3, 2024
The UFC was in Newark, New Jersey for UFC 302 with the lightweight title on the line. In the main event, Islam Makhachev was looking to defend his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier who had said this was his final shot at winning the belt. The co-main event was a pivotal five-round middleweight scrap between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa.
Former UFC champ sides with Dana White in Islam Makhachev/Jon Jones 'Pound for Pound' debate
Curtis Calhoun - June 3, 2024
UFC President Dana White’s post-UFC 302 remarks about the pound-for-pound rankings are a major talking point of the post-fight aftermath. UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier by fifth-round submission at UFC 302 on Saturday. It was Makhachev’s latest successful title defense after back-to-back wins over Alexander Volkanovski in 2023.
Islam Makhachev opens as betting underdog for potential welterweight title fight against Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - June 3, 2024
Islam Makhachev has opened as an underdog for a potential welterweight title fight against Leon Edwards. Makhachev defended his lightweight title for the third time on Saturday with a fifth-round submission win over Dustin Poirier. After his win, Makhchev asked to fight for the welterweight title next time out as he wanted to try and become a champ-champ.
Islam Makhachev prefers UFC welterweight title fight over Arman Tsarukyan rematch following UFC 302 win: "This is my dream"
Fernando Quiles - June 2, 2024
Islam Makhachev has a preference for his next fight following UFC 302, but he’s willing to do whatever is asked of him. Makhachev once again showed off his elite traits in the main event of UFC 302. The 155-pound king mixed it up with Dustin Poirier inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this past Saturday night. It was a quality effort from “The Diamond,” who was able to rough up Makhachev at certain points in the fight. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough as Makhachev forced Poirier to tap out via D’Arce choke in the final round to remain the lightweight champion.
Jon Jones gives his thoughts on Dagestani fighters after Islam Makhachev's UFC 302 triumph
Harry Kettle - June 2, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has given his honest thoughts on Dagestani fighters following Islam Makhachev’s win at UFC 302. In the main event of UFC 302, Islam Makhachev submitted Dustin Poirier to retain the UFC lightweight championship. It was a pretty incredible fight between two men who put it all on the line. However, despite his big win, UFC president Dana White made it crystal clear that he doesn’t believe Makhachev is the #1 pound for pound fighter in the promotion.