Islam Makhachev News
Former two-division UFC champion believes Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is bigger fight than Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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?
Javier Mendez thinks Islam Makhachev can win UFC middleweight title: 'It's a matter of whether he wants to'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 26, 2024
American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez has full confidence in Islam Makhachev’s ability to capture gold at 185 pounds. Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion. He rules a division where the athletes are 30 pounds lighter than middleweights. It’s a fact that won’t deter Mendez, however, who believes his fighter can move up to 185 pounds and rule the roost there. If welterweight doesn’t become an option for Makhachev due to his teammate, Belal Muhammad, running the division, then a middleweight run could be in the cards.
Paddy Pimblett explains why he wasn't impressed by Islam Makhachev's submission win over Dustin Poirier
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.
Top UFC title contender backs Nate Diaz in backstage incident with Islam Makhachev's team
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.
Islam Makhachev's coach reveals what Ilia Topuria must do to get UFC super fight: 'Now people will look at him like he’s a lightweight'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.
Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn't want Islam Makhachev to fight Belal Muhammad
Harry Kettle - December 18, 2024
Khabib Nurmagomedov has explained why he isn’t a fan of the idea of Islam Makhachev facing off against Belal Muhammad. As we know, Belal Muhammad is the UFC welterweight champion. He earned that title by defeating Leon Edwards, and he did so in fairly convincing fashion. Up next, the expectation is that he will defend the belt against number one contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Islam Makhachev predicts finish over Arman Tsarukyan in UFC 311 rematch: 'I know everything what he can do'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.
Islam Makhachev's retirement timeframe possibly revealed by coach, UFC super fight against Ilia Topuria dismissed
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.
Dana White announces two major title fights for UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan and Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.
Islam Makhachev downplays future fight against fellow UFC champion Ilia Topuria: "What will that do for me?"
Josh Evanoff - December 4, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev isn’t very interested in facing Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 308 in October. Back for the first time since knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in February, Ilia Topuria met Max Holloway. Ahead of the contest, both featherweights were discussing a move to 155 pounds. For his part, ‘Blessed’ was coming off a knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April.
Paddy Pimblett opens up on future fight against UFC champion Islam Makhachev: "Obviously I think I'd beat him"
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.
Islam Makhachev hits out at Conor McGregor following civil case defeat
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.
Michael Chandler shares bold prediction for Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan rematch: "Absolutely smokes him"
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.
REPORT | Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 official for UFC 311 in Los Angeles
Josh Evanoff - November 4, 2024
It appears that Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 is official for UFC 311 in January. The lightweight champion hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Dustin Poirier in June. In the main event of UFC 302, Islam Makhachev entered the octagon as a massive betting favorite against ‘The Diamond’. While the challenger offered some resistance, the Russian emerged with a fifth-round submission victory.
Javier Mendez says Khamzat Chimaev is on same level of Khabib Nurmagomedov & Islam Makhachev despite style differences
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.
Alexander Volkanovski believes Ilia Topuria could KO Islam Makhachev if he tries champ-champ status
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.
Dana White shuts down Ilia Topuria's talk of challenging Islam Makhachev at lightweight: "This is his first title defense"
Josh Evanoff - October 25, 2024
UFC President Dana White doesn’t want to see Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev just yet. ‘El Matador’ is set to return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 308 this Saturday night. Back for the first time since winning featherweight gold against Alexander Volkanovski in February, Ilia Topuria will face Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ earned the title opportunity with a knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April.
Dana White reveals he'll "absolutely" approve Islam Makhachev welterweight title shot with win over Arman Tsarukyan
Josh Evanoff - October 24, 2024
UFC President Dana White has co-signed on Islam Makhachev’s future welterweight move. The Russian has been out of the cage since a June title defense against Dustin Poirier. In the main event of UFC 302, Islam Makhachev faced ‘The Diamond’ in the latter’s third crack at undisputed gold. Despite some resistance from the challenger, the lightweight champion wound up securing a fifth-round submission victory.