Islam Makhachev News
Alexander Volkanovski believes if roles were reversed Islam Makhachev wouldn't step up on short notice
Cole Shelton - October 18, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t think Islam Makhachev would have stepped up on short notice like he did. Makhachev was supposed to headline UFC 294 in a rematch against Charles Oliveira this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. However, less than two weeks out from the fight, Oliveira was forced out of the bout due to an injury. Volkanovski ended up stepping up to rematch Makhachev on 12 days’ notice.
Islam Makhachev claims Khabib Nurmagomedov could “easily” come back and defeat current UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland: “Without a doubt”
Harry Kettle - October 18, 2023
Islam Makhachev has stated that he believes Khabib Nurmagomedov would be able to defeat Sean Strickland if he returned to the UFC. It’s been over three years since Khabib Nurmagomedov walked away from mixed martial arts. The star from Dagestan walked away with an unbeaten record in his professional career, and while many wanted to see him return at some point, it doesn’t appear as if it’s going to happen.
UFC 294 | Pro fighters make their picks for Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2023
In the main event of UFC 294, Islam Makhachev is looking to defend his lightweight title for the second time as he rematches Alexander Volkanovski. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a -265 favorite while the featherweight champ is a +200 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, which was made on less than two weeks’ notice, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are actually leaning toward Volkanovski pulling off the upset, despite taking it on short notice.
Dan Hardy claims Alexander Volkanovski rematch is a “far less threatening” fight when compared to Charles Oliveira
Harry Kettle - October 17, 2023
Dan Hardy believes Islam Makhachev has a clearer path to victory against Alexander Volkanovski than against Charles Oliveira. On Saturday night, Islam Makhachev will defend the UFC lightweight championship against Alexander Volkanovski for the second time. He should’ve been going up against Charles Oliveira, but ‘Do Bronx’ was forced to pull out as a result of a cut sustained in training.
Alex Volkanovski makes plans clear for Islam Makhachev rematch at UFC 294: "I’m going to be a dangerous man in there"
Fernando Quiles - October 15, 2023
UFC featherweight titleholder Alex Volkanovski has his plans set for the short-notice rematch against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Volkanovski stepped up to the plate after Charles Oliveira was pulled from a planned championship rematch with Makhachev at UFC 294. Oliveira suffered a nasty cut on his eyebrow during a sparring session. The cut was bad enough that “do Bronx” wasn’t cleared to fight in Abu Dhabi.
Robert Whittaker shares his take on Alexander Volkanovski accepting a short notice rematch with Islam Makhachev at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 13, 2023
Robert Whittaker has given his thoughts on Alexander Volkanovski taking on Islam Makhachev on short notice at UFC 294. Next weekend at UFC 294, Alexander Volkanovski will challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. It will serve as the second time he’s done so, following a tight decision win for Islam earlier this year.
Islam Makhachev's coach expects Alexander Volkanovski will “take more chances” in upcoming rematch at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 13, 2023
Islam Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez has given his thoughts on what Alexander Volkanovski may do differently at UFC 294. Next weekend, on short notice, Alexander Volkanovski will step in for the injured Charles Oliveira and challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. It will serve as his second attempt at claiming Makhachev’s belt following a close decision defeat earlier this year.
Opening odds released for Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski and Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294
Cole Shelton - October 11, 2023
The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi next Saturday for UFC 294 and the card has changed quite a bit, but Islam Makhachev will remain atop the bill. Makhachev was originally supposed to defend his lightweight title at UFC 294 in a rematch against Charles Oliveira. The co-main event was supposed to be a middleweight fight between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev. However, in the past 24 hours, it was revealed that Makhachev will now be rematching Alexander Volkanovski in the main event for the lightweight title. Also, in the co-main event, Kamaru Usman has replaced Paulo Costa and will now face Khamzat Chimaev.
Islam Makhachev reacts to Alexander Volkanovski replacing Charles Oliveira at UFC 294
Susan Cox - October 11, 2023
Islam Makhachev is reacting to Alexander Volkanovski replacing Charles Oliveira at UFC 294. UFC 294 takes place on Saturday October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Islam Makhachev set to rematch Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 with Charles Oliveira out
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2023
Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski are set to run it back in the main event of UFC 294. The folks at the Overdogs Podcast just announced that Charles Oliveira is out of his lightweight title fight on Oct. 21 in Abu Dhabi against Makhachev, and Volkanovski has agreed to step in on short notice to rematch Makhachev in less than two weeks. ESPN has since confirmed the news.
Official main card lineup released for UFC 294: ‘Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2’
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2023
The official main card lineup has been released for UFC 294 later this month, with the main event being Islam Makhachev vs Charles Oliveira 2. Later this month, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will be making its return to Abu Dhabi. For the second straight year, the man event will see Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev clash for the UFC lightweight title. This time around, though, it will be Makhachev who is defending after he was able to beat ‘Do Bronx’ for the strap twelve months ago. Since then, both men have won one contest – against Alexander Volkanovski and Beneil Dariush respectively.
Mateusz Gamrot slotted as UFC 294 backup fighter for Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira rematch
Fernando Quiles - October 8, 2023
Mateusz Gamrot might just be fighting for a UFC title if initial plans go awry. The main event of UFC 294 will feature a rematch for the UFC Lightweight Championship. It’ll be titleholder Islam Makhachev putting his gold at stake against Charles Oliveira. Around this time last year, Makhachev submitted Oliveira in the second round to capture UFC gold. While the UFC has its plan set for October 21, plans can change.
Justin Gaethje reportedly next for Islam Makhachev if the Russian defeats Charles Oliveira at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 6, 2023
Justin Gaethje is reportedly being lined up next for Islam Makhachev if the latter is able to get past Charles Oliveira again. This year has been a pretty good one for Justin Gaethje, to put it lightly. ‘The Highlight’ has beaten Rafael Fiziev and Dustin Poirier, and in the latter of those two wins, he won via knockout to claim the BMF title. Gaethje has always been an action fighter and someone who is willing to risk it all, but on the two occasions he’s fought for the UFC lightweight championship, he’s come up short against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.
Islam Makhachev wants Colby Covington next to test his wrestling against his: "He's a good fighter"
Cole Shelton - October 3, 2023
Islam Makhachev will be rooting for Colby Covington to defeat Leon Edwards in December. Covington is set to take on Edwards for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 296. Since the fight became official, ‘Chaos’ has said he would be interested in facing Makhachev in his first title defense as he believes it would be an easy fight.
Michael Bisping shares some advice for Charles Oliveira ahead of Islam Makhachev rematch at UFC 294
Susan Cox - October 3, 2023
Michael Bisping is sharing some advice for Charles Oliveira ahead of his rematch with Islam Makhachev at UFC 294. UFC 294 takes place on Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Headlining the event is a lightweight title fight between current champion Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA) and Charles Oliveira (34-9 MMA).
Islam Makhachev shuts down Charles Oliveira's complaint about fighting in Abu Dhabi: "Makes no sense"
Josh Evanoff - October 2, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has responded to Charles Oliveira. The two are currently set to rematch at UFC 294 later this month, in Abu Dhabi. The fight takes place just a year after their first fight at UFC 280. Last October, Islam Makhachev scored a second-round submission win over Charles Oliveira to win the vacant lightweight gold.
Colby Covington says no one at welterweight is "deserving" of a title shot, eyes first title defense against Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - September 21, 2023
Colby Covington doesn’t think anybody at welterweight deserves a title fight. Covington is set to fight Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 296 for the welterweight title on Dec. 16. It’s a big fight and in the lead-up, ‘Chaos’ is confident he will become the champ with a stoppage win over Edwards.
Islam Makhachev's coach reveals what improvements they expect from Charles Oliveira at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2023
Islam Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez has revealed what improvements they expect to see from Charles Oliveira at UFC 294. Last year, Islam Makhachev became the UFC lightweight champion by submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. Now, one year later, the two will run it back as ‘Do Bronx’ attempts to reclaim the gold he lost.