Islam Makhachev News

Drake Riggs - November 29, 2021

Khabib Nurmagomedov won’t be changing his mind anytime soon when it comes to the UFC lightweight title picture. The former king of the division recently shared his thoughts on the matter when telling former challenger Justin Gaethje that he “fell asleep” in his lone undisputed opportunity. Despite a recent victory in an instant classic with Michael Chandler at UFC 268, Gaethje is behind Islam Makhachev in the pecking order according to “The Eagle.”

Adam Martin - November 28, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has opened up as a big betting favorite to defeat Beneil Dariush when they fight in early 2022. Makhachev vs. Dariush was officially announced this weekend, and the fight will take place on February 26 in what will be a five-round non-title main event. It goes without saying that this fight between Makhachev and Dariush is one of the biggest fights that the lightweight division currently offers, and it seems fair to assume the winner of this fight is going to get a title shot at 155lbs. Justin Gaethje is first up for the winner of UFC 269’s Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier, and the winner of Makhachev/Dariush will be up next.

Christopher Taylor - November 27, 2021

Khabib Nurmagomedov was pushing for Islam Makhachev to receive a title shot following his submission victory over Dan Hooker at UFC 267. Despite the former champions campaign efforts, it was announced today that Makhachev (21-1 MMA) has been booked to fight fellow lightweight contender Beneil Dariush (21-4-1 MMA) in February.

Chris Taylor - November 27, 2021

A massive fight between top UFC lightweight contenders Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush has been booked for February. That news comes from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto who reported the following on Twitter:

Drake Riggs - November 18, 2021

Justin Gaethje doesn’t believe Islam Makhachev has earned his shot at the UFC lightweight title. UFC 269 on Dec. 11 will see current champion Charles Oliveira attempt to defend against former interim titleholder Dustin Poirier. In the meantime, “The Highlight” and one of Dagestan’s finest make their cases.

Adam D Martin - November 14, 2021

Islam Makhachev responded after former UFC champ Eddie Alvarez said Justin Gaethje getting the next lightweight title shot “is only right.” Makhachev recently defeated Dan Hooker at UFC 267 to improve to 10-1 overall in the UFC with his current nine-fight win streak. Makhachev is clearly one of the best lightweight fighters in the world, and he is hoping to get the next title shot at 155lbs against the winner of UFC 269’s Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier main event. However, after Gaethje defeated Michael Chandler at UFC 268 in a “Fight of the Year” candidate last weekend, there seems to be more support for Gaethje getting the next title shot. One of those supporters is his former UFC rival Alvarez, who took to his social media to stump for him.

Adam D Martin - November 9, 2021

UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori believes there is one lightweight fighter who could give Islam Makhachev “a lot of problems.” Vettori trains at Kings MMA alongside Beneil Dariush, who is one of the top-ranked lightweights in the sport. Speaking to Mike Swick recently on his podcast, Vettori said that he believes Dariush is the one man who can give Makhachev problems. Although Vettori admitted that Makhachev is a great fighter, he believes Dariush has the style to beat him.

Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021

UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev could beat former divisional kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov, says former UFC fighter Mike Swick. Swick competed in the UFC for many years but these days he lives in Thailand and own and operates AKA Thailand. In the United States, Makhachev and Nurmagomedov train at AKA San Jose, so Swick is well versed in both men and their skills. While Nurmagomedov was for many years the best lightweight in the UFC, he retired from the sport earlier this year and now the other lightweight fighters have the opportunity to win the title. One of those fighters is Makhachev, who recently defeated Dan Hooker for his ninth straight win.

Chris Taylor - November 6, 2021

Conor McGregor has lashed out at Islam Makhachev after discovering one of his old tweets from 2015. Just prior to McGregor’s interim featherweight title fight with Chad Mendes at UFC 189, Makhachev took to Twitter with the following statement “I can’t imagine that after all his talk, Conor loses”.

Adam D Martin - November 3, 2021

Islam Makhachev ripped Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler ahead of UFC 268, saying “everybody is tired about these guys because they’re old.” Makhachev put on arguably the best performance of his MMA career last Saturday at UFC 268 when he submitted Dan Hooker in the first round. Considering how tough and durable Hooker is — this was his first submission loss in nearly a decade — it was absolutely incredible to see Makhachev go through him like a knife through hot butter. It was the kind of win that the Russian needs in order to really cement himself as one of the top lightweights in the UFC. With a 10-1 record now in the promotion, including the nine-fight win streak that he currently rides, it’s clear that Makhachev is closing in on a title shot.

Adam D Martin - November 1, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev trolled UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after beating Dan Hooker at UFC 267. Makhachev absolutely smashed Hooker in their lightweight bout that took place at last Saturday’s UFC 267 card. The Russian took Hooker down immediately in the first round and began to go to work with his submissions, and soon afterward he was able to lock up the kimura and force Hooker to tap out. It was an absolutely phenomenal victory by Makhachev, who proved without a doubt that he is one of the top-five fighters in the UFC lightweight division. It was also the type of victory that gave Makhachev a lot more confidence in himself, and now he is taking shots at Hooker’s teammate in Adesanya.

Adam D Martin - October 31, 2021

Islam Makhachev wants a title shot after dominating Dan Hooker, saying that “when Michael Chandler beat Hooker they give him the title fight.” Makhachev submitted Chandler with a first-round kimura at UFC 267 in what was arguably the best performance of his UFC career to date. Makhachev took Hooker down almost immediately as soon as the fight began and he started to get to work right away on the ground. Not long after that, he grabbed Hooker’s arm and twisted it for the kimura finish.

Christopher Taylor - October 30, 2021

Dan Hooker has reacted following his disappointing first round submission loss to Islam Makhachev at today’s UFC 267 event. Hooker (21-11 MMA) was making a quick turnaround today in Abu Dhabi. ‘The Hangman‘ had most previously competed five weeks ago at UFC 266, where he picked up a unanimous decision victory over Nasrat Haqparast. That win had snapped a two-fight losing skid for the Auckland native, who had previously suffered setbacks to Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler respectively.

Chris Taylor - October 30, 2021

A key lightweight bout between perennial division contenders Islam Makhachev and Dan Hooker took place on today’s UFC 267 main card. Makhachev (21-1 MMA) had entered the contest on an eight-fight winning streak, his most previous win being a submission victory over Thiago Moises in July.

Chris Taylor - October 30, 2021

A key lightweight bout between perennial division contenders Islam Makhachev and Dan Hooker takes place on today’s UFC 267 main card. Makhachev (20-1 MMA) will enter the contest on an eight-fight winning streak, his latest being a submission win over Thiago Moises in July.

Adam D Martin - October 29, 2021

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov told Islam Makhachev to “call out Dana White” with a win over Dan Hooker at UFC 267. Nurmagomedov is the former UFC lightweight champion, but he vacated his belt earlier this year after officially announcing his retirement from MMA. With Nurmagomedov now on the sidelines, there have been many analysts who have said that Makhachev is the next lightweight champion. He has a fighting style that is similar to Nurmagomedov and so far in the UFC, he has been extremely dominant with a 9-1 record including an eight-fight win streak at the moment. On Saturday at UFC 267, Makhachev will look to defeat Hooker.

Adam D Martin - October 27, 2021

Former UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov praised Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 267, saying “he’s top-10 in pound-for-pound right now.” Nurmagomerdov and Makhachev are longtime friends as well as training partners at American Kickboxing Academy. Nurmagomedov was the former UFC lightweight champion and is considered by many to be one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. But he retired earlier this year, and he essentially passed the torch on to Makhachev to continue the legacy of Russian lightweight champions. There have been many who have said that Makhachev has what it takes to be the next Nurmagomedov.

Adam D Martin - October 24, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev responded to rival Dan Hooker’s offer to make their fight at UFC 267 for five rounds instead. As you are all now aware, Hooker stepped up on short notice to take the fight with Makhachev at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi after Rafael dos Anjos was forced to withdraw with an injury. Hooker is a huge underdog to get the upset here against Makhachev, but that isn’t stopping him from wanting to be in the cage with his rival potentially 10 minutes longer. Hooker has taken to social media in the past week to request that his fight with Makhachev be moved to five rounds instead of three. Now, Makhachev has responded.