Islam Makhachev News
Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva to fight for the vacant women’s bantamweight title at UFC 297, Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 in the works
Chris Taylor - November 4, 2023
Dana White and company are planning to rebook the Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira rematch for January’s UFC 297 event in Toronto. Makhachev (25-1 MMA) and Oliveira (34-9 MMA) originally collided for the promotion’s vacant lightweight title at UFC 280 in October of 2022, with the Dagestani fighter emerging victorious by way of second round submission.
Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch rejects notion that Islam Makhachev would “run through” Justin Gaethje: “I wouldn't be that surprised if Gaethje knocked him out”
Harry Kettle - November 3, 2023
Sean O’Malley’s head coach Tim Welch has rejected the idea that Islam Makhachev would run through Justin Gaethje. Following his win over Alexander Volkanovski, many have been questioning what’s next for Islam Makhachev. The popular theory is that he’ll defend his UFC lightweight championship once again against either Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje.
Chael Sonnen details the “huge mistake” Justin Gaethje is making in his pursuit for a lightweight title shot
Susan Cox - October 31, 2023
Chael Sonnen is detailing the ‘huge mistake’ Justin Gaethje is making in his pursuit for a lightweight title shot. Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA) is the current UFC lightweight champion.
Anthony Smith explains why there was no foul in Islam Makhachev’s knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski: “The rule is that you can't target the back of the head”
Harry Kettle - October 27, 2023
UFC fighter Anthony Smith has explained why there was nothing wrong with Islam Makhachev’s finishing sequence against Alexander Volkanovski. Last weekend at UFC 294, Islam Makhachev knocked Alexander Volkanovski out and successfully retained the UFC lightweight championship. In doing so, he cemented his status as the best 155-pounder in the world.
Charles Oliveira confident he will get next title shot against Islam Makhachev: "Everybody knows I’m next"
Cole Shelton - October 25, 2023
Charles Oliveira is confident he will get the next lightweight title shot. Oliveira was supposed to rematch Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 last Saturday, but just under two weeks out from the fight he suffered a cut that forced him to pull out. Alexander Volkanovski took the fight and lost by first-round knockout as Makhachev remained the UFC lightweight champion.
Michael Bisping explains why Jon Jones still warrants top spot in the UFC pound for pound rankings
Harry Kettle - October 25, 2023
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has explained why he believes Jon Jones should still be #1 in the pound-for-pound rankings. In the eyes of many, Jon Jones is the greatest fighter in the history of mixed martial arts. While that isn’t a consensus view, it’s certainly a popular thought. As such, he continues to reign supreme as the #1 fighter in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Islam Makhachev reacts after failing to top pound-for-pound rankings after UFC 294 win
Cole Shelton - October 24, 2023
Islam Makhachev doesn’t get how he isn’t atop the pound-for-pound rankings. Back in February, Alexander Volkanovski was the top pound-for-pound fighter, while Islam Makhachev was ranked second. When they fought, it was Makhachev who won, but Volkanovski remained atop the list. Then, after Jon Jones returned and won the heavyweight title, he reclaimed the top spot.
Alexander Volkanovski appreciates fan support after admitting mental struggles at UFC 294: "It's good for awareness"
Josh Evanoff - October 24, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has broken his silence after his loss to Islam Makhachev. On Saturday night, ‘The Great’ returned on less than two weeks’ notice to headline UFC 294. There, Alexander Volkanovski moved up to lightweight for yet another clash with Islam Makhachev. In February, the two put on one of the best fights of the year, with the Russian retaining his gold by unanimous decision.
Michael Chandler believes he knows Islam Makhachev’s kryptonite following UFC 294
Susan Cox - October 24, 2023
Michael Chandler believes he knows Islam Makhachev’s kryptonite following UFC 294. UFC 294 took place last Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Daniel Cormier believes Islam Makhachev has done enough to overthrow Jon Jones in pound for pound rankings
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has explained why he believes Islam Makhachev should be the new pound-for-pound #1 ahead of Jon Jones. Last weekend, Islam Makhachev knocked out Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 294. In doing so, he successfully retained his UFC lightweight championship and firmly cemented himself as the best 155-pounder on the planet.
Joe Rogan heaps praise on Islam Makhachev for “perfect” knockout over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan heaped praise on Islam Makhachev following his win over Alexander Volkanovski. Last weekend at UFC 294, Islam Makhachev shocked the world. His win over Alexander Volkanovski wasn’t the shocking part – but instead, it was the manner in which he did it. Makhachev landed a nasty head kick before following up with brutal ground and pound, with the referee eventually stepping in to stop the fight.
What's next for the stars of UFC 294?
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2023
The UFC returned to Abu Dhabi on Saturday for a solid UFC 294 card that somehow got better after both the main and co-main events were changed on less than two weeks’ notice. In the main event of UFC 294, Islam Makhachev was looking to defend his lightweight title for the second time as he was rematching featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski. The co-main event saw Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman fight at middleweight.
Watch Israel Adesanya’s live reaction to Islam Makhachev knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 23, 2023
Israel Adesanya has released his reaction video to Alexander Volkanovski’s loss against Islam Makhachev. Last weekend in the main event of UFC 294, Islam Makhachev knocked out Alexander Volkanovski. He did so in brutal fashion, landing a stunning head kick before finishing off with some ground and pound. It was a result that shocked many in terms of how the finish came, but regarding the winner, Makhachev was always going to be seen as the heavy favorite with this being a short notice bout.
Islam Makhachev reacts after Dana White mulls potential plan to rebook Charles Oliveira fight: “I don’t think it’s a good idea”
Fernando Quiles - October 22, 2023
Islam Makhachev isn’t gung-ho over the idea of a rematch with Charles Oliveira, but he’s willing to go through with it. The dust has settled on the UFC 294 main event, and Makhachev is the talk of the MMA world. Fans were expecting a barn burner in the short-notice rematch between Makhachev and Alex Volkanovski. The UFC lightweight champion wasn’t interested in having another five-round war with “The Great.” Makhachev dropped Volkanovski with a head kick and finished him off with follow-up punches in the first round.
Conor McGregor calls foul on Islam Makhachev’s stoppage win over Alexander Volkanovski: “Back of the head shots are not good”
Fernando Quiles - October 22, 2023
Conor McGregor was paying attention to the UFC 294 headliner between Islam Makhachev and Alex Volkanovski. Volkanovski stepped up on short notice when Charles Oliveira couldn’t make it to the card after suffering a cut during sparring. While the first fight between Makhachev and Volkanovski was highly competitive, the rematch ended quickly. Makhachev scored a head kick that dropped Volkanovski in the first round and finished the fight with some follow-up punches.
Alexander Volkanovski reflects on decision to accept short notice rematch with Islam Makhachev
Chris Taylor - October 21, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski spoke about his decision to accept a short notice fight with Islam Makhachev following the conclusion of today’s UFC 294 event. Volkanovski (26-3 MMA) and Makhachev (25-1 MMA) squared off for a second time in today’s UFC 294 headliner, with the promotion‘s coveted lightweight world title up for grabs.
UFC 294 Bonus Report: Islam Makhachev one of four fighters to take home an extra $50k
Chris Taylor - October 21, 2023
The Octagon returned to Abu Dhabi for today’s UFC 294 event, a thirteen-bout fight card headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2. The highly anticipated lightweight title fight rematch proved to be a coming out party for Islam Makhachev. The lightweight champion was able to get the better of Alexander Volkanovski in the striking department right from the opening bell, landing a nice head kick in the opening moments. Shortly thereafter, Makhachev once again connected with a high kick, this time staggering the reigning featherweight champion. The fight hit the floor and Islam quickly finished off the Aussie with some heavy ground and pound.
Pros react after Islam Makhachev KO's Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294
Chris Taylor - October 21, 2023
Today’s UFC 294 event was headlined by a lightweight title fight rematch between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski. Makhachev (25-1 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since scoring a highly debated unanimous decision victory over Volkanovski this past February at UFC 284. Prior to that, the Russian standout had earned a submission win over Charles Oliveira to capture the promotion’s vacant lightweight title at UFC 280.