Islam Makhachev News
Islam Makhachev explains why Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway at UFC 300 is a “useless fight”
Susan Cox - March 15, 2024
Islam Makhachev is explaining why Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway at UFC 300 is a ‘useless fight’. The historic UFC 300 takes place on Saturday, April 13th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Islam Makhachev explains why he accepted Dustin Poirier fight despite ‘The Diamond’ being undeserving
Harry Kettle - March 15, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has explained why he’s open to defending his belt against Dustin Poirier. Last weekend at UFC 299, Dustin Poirier scored a beautiful knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis. The veteran overcame some early adversity and got it done in the second round, cementing himself as a real contender at 155 pounds once again.
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier seemingly agree to June title fight
Susan Cox - March 11, 2024
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier have seemingly agreed to a June 2024 title fight. Poirier (30-8 MMA) is flying high after knocking out Benoit Saint-Denis (13-2 MMA) this past Saturday night at UFC 299 in the ‘Sunshine State’ of Florida.
Ali Abdelaziz offers Dustin Poirier a title shot with Islam Makhachev following UFC 299
Cole Shelton - March 10, 2024
Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev says Dustin Poirier can get the next title shot following his knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299. Poirier was coming off a KO loss to Justin Gaethje back in July and took on Saint-Denis in a fight which he was the underdog in. After a first round in which Saint-Denis had a lot of success, Poirier landed a big uppercut and followed it up to get a KO win in the second round.
Islam Makhachev names Anatoly Malykhin as “most dangerous guy on the planet”
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 5, 2024
Anatoly Malykhin has earned the respect and admiration of Islam Makhachev following the Russian hard-hitter’s historic milestone. The unprecedented feat unfolded in his epic rematch against Reinier de Ridder at ONE 166: Qatar last Friday, March 1.
Javier Mendez lays out future plans for UFC champion Islam Makhachev: "I’d love to see that"
Fernando Quiles - February 20, 2024
Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, will not be featured on the UFC 300 card, but his coach has an update. UFC 300 will feature a pivotal lightweight clash between former 155-pound titleholder Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. UFC CEO Dana White has claimed the bout will determine the number one contender for a shot at Makhachev’s lightweight gold. It’ll be interesting to see who who will emerge victorious to challenge Makhachev, but what is the Makhachev camp thinking in terms of the future?
Alexander Volkanovski reveals drinking habits prior to Islam Makhachev rematch
Harry Kettle - February 7, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has revealed the nature of his drinking habits prior to his rematch against Islam Makhachev. At UFC 298, Alexander Volkanovski returns to defend his belt against rising star Ilia Topuria. It comes just months after his short notice rematch against Islam Makhachev, which he lost via brutal head kick KO.
Georges St-Pierre explains why Alexander Volkanovski could still be “the best fighter” despite back-to-back losses to Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - February 1, 2024
Georges St-Pierre has given his thoughts on Alexander Volkanovski’s two defeats to Islam Makhachev. At UFC 298 later this month, Alexander Volkanovski will defend his UFC featherweight championship against Ilia Topuria. It will serve as a move back to 145 pounds after his second attempt at capturing the lightweight gold.
Arman Tsarukyan plans to KO Charles Oliveira and earn June title fight with Islam Makhachev: “Gaethje has to wait until October”
Harry Kettle - January 11, 2024
UFC fighter Arman Tsarukyan plans to earn a title shot against Islam Makhachev this summer by knocking out Charles Oliveira. At UFC 300, Arman Tsarukyan will face the biggest test of his career. He is set to lock horns with Charles Oliveira in what has been dubbed a number one contender bout. The winner is expected to take on Islam Makhachev later this year.
Manager details why Islam Makhachev doesn't have a fight booked, gives timeframe for return
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev appears to be on the sidelines for quite some time. Makhachev defended his lightweight title for the second time with a first-round knockout over Alexander Volkanovski back in October. After the fight, many expected Makhachev to return in the first quarter of 2024 before Ramadan and he was pushing to return on March 9.
Paul Felder implores Islam Makhachev to stay at lightweight amid double-champ talk: "Stay in your freaking division"
Josh Evanoff - December 29, 2023
UFC analyst Paul Felder sees no reason why Islam Makhachev needs to challenge Leon Edwards, yet. ‘Rocky’ is fresh off his return earlier this month at UFC 296 against Colby Covington. There, Edwards turned in a dominant performance, scoring a unanimous decision win over ‘Chaos’. While his second title defense was an impressive one to many, Islam Makhachev didn’t exactly feel threatened.
Islam Makhachev sends warning to Justin Gaethje following recent callout
Susan Cox - December 27, 2023
Islam Makhachev has sent a warning to BMF title holder Justin Gaethje following his recent callout. The current UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA) is not mincing words after the most recent callout from Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA).
Henry Cejudo believes Islam Makhachev would “expose” Leon Edwards in potential UFC super fight
Harry Kettle - December 21, 2023
UFC star Henry Cejudo has given his thoughts on a potential showdown between Islam Makhachev and Leon Edwards. Last weekend, Leon Edwards successfully retained his UFC welterweight championship. He did so by defeating Colby Covington, establishing himself as the best 170-pounder on the planet right now. In terms of what’s next, a lot of names have been thrown around, including Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Daniel Cormier believes Islam Makhachev's rematch comments are an early sign of retirement: "Only a couple more years"
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes Islam Makhachev’s recent comments could be a sign of his impending retirement. The Russian has been out of the cage since a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski in October. There, Islam Makhachev picked up his second win over ‘The Great’ by knockout, with names such as Daniel Cormier watching by. Following the win, he was called out by many top lightweights.
Islam Makhachev dismisses rematches with Charles Oliveira & Arman Tsarukyan: "If you want to be a champion in a good way, you have to add new names"
Fernando Quiles - December 10, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev isn’t a fan of rematches. Makhachev was scheduled to have a second bout with Charles Oliveira at UFC 294 back in October. Oliveira was forced to pull out due to a nasty gash he suffered while sparring. As a result, Makhachev took another rematch, but with UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski. It was a sensational showing for Makhachev, as he scored a first-round head kick for knockout win.
Dustin Poirier wishes he got UFC 294 short notice title fight against Islam Makhachev: "It was perfect timing"
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2023
Dustin Poirier says he had accepted to fight Islam Makhachev on short notice at UFC 294. Makhachev was looking to defend his lightweight title for the second time as he was set to rematch Charles Oliveira. However, on less than two weeks’ notice, it was revealed that Oliveira suffered a cut above his eye which kept him from fighting.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts after Islam Makhachev dethrones Jon Jones for top spot in UFC pound for pound rankings
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2023
Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his thoughts on Islam Makhachev finally being given the #1 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. Last month, Islam Makhachev knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to successfully retain his UFC lightweight championship. In doing so, many felt as if he established himself as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the UFC. Alas, at the time, Jon Jones was kept at the top of the mountain.
Islam Makhachev takes over top spot in UFC pound for pound rankings
Susan Cox - November 7, 2023
Islam Makhachev has taken over top stop in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. The reigning lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA) has taken the No. 1 spot away from the current heavyweight champion Jon Jones (27-1 MMA) on the pound-for-pound official UFC rankings.