Islam Makhachev News
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).
Justin Gaethje says he’s “waiting on the call” for UFC title fight with Islam Makhachev: “Do Bronx had his shot and didn’t show up”
Harry Kettle - December 27, 2023
UFC star Justin Gaethje has said that he is “waiting on the call” regarding a title shot against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. For as long as we can remember, Justin Gaethje has been seen as one of the most exciting fighters in all of mixed martial arts. He’s quick, he’s got an entertaining style, and he has more UFC bonuses than we can count.
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.
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.
Dustin Poirier confident that Charles Oliveira is capable of dethroning Islam Makhachev: “He can win that fight”
Harry Kettle - November 14, 2023
Dustin Poirier believes that Charles Oliveira has what it takes to dethrone Islam Makhachev in a future rematch. At UFC 294, Islam Makhachev was initially scheduled to defend his UFC lightweight championship against Charles Oliveira. Unfortunately, as a result of ‘Do Bronx’ suffering a nasty cut in training, he was forced to withdraw. Alexander Volkanovski replaced him on short notice and ultimately, came up short in a knockout defeat to the star from Dagestan.
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.
Coach explains why beating Conor McGregor would do nothing for the legacy Islam Makhachev is looking to create
Susan Cox - November 6, 2023
Coach Javier Mendez is explaining why beating Conor McGregor would do nothing for the legacy Islam Makhachev is looking to create. Islam Makachev (25-1 MMA), the current lightweight champion, most recently defeated Alexander Volkanvoski (26-3 MMA) last month at UFC 294.
Islam Makhachev will not be ready to defend his UFC lightweight title until March of 2024
Harry Kettle - November 6, 2023
Islam Makhachev will reportedly not be defending his UFC lightweight championship until at least March 2024. Following his win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294, many questions were asked regarding what was next for Islam Makhachev. Then, just a matter of days ago, it was reported that he’d be defending his belt again in January against Charles Oliveira.
Ali Abdelaziz shuts down rumored UFC 297 rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira: “Please don’t listen to people that can’t even get credentials”
Fernando Quiles - November 5, 2023
The manager for Islam Makhachev, Ali Abdelaziz, has blasted a report claiming a UFC lightweight title rematch with Charles Oliveira is targeted for January 2024. Ariel Helwani recently reported that the plan is for Makhachev vs. Oliveira 2 to headline UFC 297. Here’s what Helwani reported on his X account:
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.
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.
Daniel Cormier explains why UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev should fight Conor McGregor next: “It’s the biggest money fight the UFC can make”
Harry Kettle - October 26, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has explained why he believes the promotion should book Islam Makhachev vs Conor McGregor. Last weekend, Islam Makhachev knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to successfully retain his UFC lightweight championship. It was an emphatic performance that cemented his status as one of the best fighters on the planet.
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.
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.