Islam Makhachev News

Islam Makhachev responds to Dan Hooker’s claim that he used an IV prior to their fight at UFC 267
Harry Kettle - July 7, 2023
Islam Makhachev has laughed off claims from Dan Hooker that he used an IV prior to their UFC 267 showdown in October 2021. Back in late 2021, Dan Hooker opted to take on Islam Makhachev on short notice. In the end, the contest went how many were expecting, with Makhachev picking up a quick submission win. His road to immortality, of course, would eventually end in him capturing the UFC lightweight championship.

Arman Tsarukyan explains why he's the one to dethrone Islam Makhachev: "It’s going to be a tough fight"
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2023
Arman Tsarukyan believes he is going to be the one to dethrone UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Tsarukyan made his UFC debut on short notice at UFC St. Petersburg in July of 2019 against Makhachev. Tsarukyan entered the contest as a sizeable betting underdog, but was able to make the fight much closer than many expected. Makhachev ultimately got the unanimous decision win, but Arman proved he could hang with the division’s best.

Alexander Volkanovski confident he'd beat Islam Makhachev in UFC title rematch: "I'll win and then we'll make a bigger fight"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 21, 2023
UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski believes he’ll get the better of Islam Makhachev in a rematch. Earlier this year, Alexander Volkanovski challenged Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship. It was a highly competitive title fight that went the distance. Ultimately, Makhachev was awarded the close, but unanimous decision victory to maintain his hold on the 155-pound gold.

Charles Oliveira's coach predicts KO win over Islam Makhachev in UFC title rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 20, 2023
Charles Oliveira’s team certainly isn’t lacking confidence. Charles Oliveira pulled off a scintillating first-round TKO finish over Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 earlier this month. This was a pivotal bout in the lightweight division. The quick finish for “do Bronx” may have earned him a rematch against Islam Makhachev. Back in October 2022, Makhachev took the previously vacant UFC Lightweight Championship via second-round submission over Oliveira.

Islam Makhachev reveals UFC rejected an offer to return in the summer: "Everything turned upside down"
Josh Evanoff - June 19, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will have to wait until the promotion’s trip to Abu Dhabi to fight. The Russian has been out of action since his clash with Alexander Volkanovski in February. The two champions headlined UFC 284 and put on an instant classic. At the end of the five-round bout, it was Makhachev who retained the lightweight title by unanimous decision.

Islam Makhachev downplays Charles Oliveira's chances in rematch: "I don't think he can do anything"
Josh Evanoff - June 19, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev still doesn’t believe Charles Oliveira has a shot against him. ‘Do Bronx’ returned to the octagon earlier this month at UFC 289. There, the Brazilian faced Beneil Dariush, who was riding a lengthy winning streak. Leading into the event, both men were attempting to secure a title shot, as the bout was Charles Oliveira’s first since last October at UFC 280.

Israel Adesanya shares conspiracy theory regarding February’s UFC lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Alex Volkanovski
Harry Kettle - June 15, 2023
Israel Adesanya has revealed a conspiracy theory he heard regarding the UFC lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski. Israel Adesanya has always been a straight shooter. Instead of shying away from controversial topics, he’s more than happy to voice his opinion. The UFC middleweight champion also happens to be one of the most popular fighters in mixed martial arts, so you know that fans will listen to what he has to say.

Islam Makhachev shares his thoughts on Jon Jones being ranked the #1 pound-for-pound fighter: “This is bullsh*t, brother”
Harry Kettle - June 15, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev isn’t happy about Jon Jones being the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the rankings. Following his win over Alexander Volkanovski, many believed Islam Makhachev was the new #1 P4P fighter in the world. However, because of how close the fight was, the UFC opted to keep Volkanovski at number one.

Daniel Cormier weighs in on potential rematch between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev
Susan Cox - June 13, 2023
Daniel Cormier is weighing in on a potential rematch between Charles Oliveira and current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Oliveira (34-9 MMA) most recently defeated Beneil Dariush (22-5 MMA) via TKO at 4:10 of round 1. It all took place at UFC 289 last Saturday, June 10th, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev says the BMF title is for bums
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2023
Islam Makhachev has taken aim at the BMF belt. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion, but in the main event of UFC 291, two of the top 155lbs contenders in Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje are set to collide for the BMF belt. Many fans have mixed feelings on the belt and Makhachev says the BMF belt is for bums.

Islam Makhachev opens as a sizeable betting favorite for potential rematch with Charles Oliveira
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2023
Islam Makhachev will once again be the betting favorite over Charles Oliveira. At UFC 280, Makhachev opened as a -300 betting favorite and closed around -245 in a fight he ended up winning by second-round submission. Since then, Makhchev beat Alexander Volkanovski to defend his belt while Oliveira returned to the win column at UFC 289 with a first-round TKO win over Beneil Dariush.

UFC champion Islam Makhachev will be making appearance on an upcoming episode of TUF 31
Susan Cox - May 31, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will be making an appearance on an upcoming episode of TUF 31. The Ultimate Fighter premiered last night, Tuesday, May 30th on ESPN.

Colby Covington confident he'd KO Islam Makhachev if the lightweight champ moved up: "I think I dust him inside of three rounds"
Cole Shelton - May 9, 2023
Colby Covington doubts Islam Makhachev would move up to welterweight, but if he does he believes it would be an easy fight for him. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion and is expected to face the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush in October. After that, it’s uncertain who would be next and although there has been talk of Islam fighting at 170 before, Covington doubts that will happen.

Drew Dober names the fighter he believes is most capable of dethroning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev
Susan Cox - April 21, 2023
Drew Dober has named the fighter he believes is most capable of dethroning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Makhachev (24-1 MMA) is riding high after defeating Alexander Volkanovski (25-2 MMA) this past February at UFC 284.

Alexander Volkanovski reveals he passed up rematch with Islam Makhachev to stay active: "I've got to do what I've got to do"
Josh Evanoff - April 20, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is all about activity. ‘The Great’ has been out of the cage since his move to lightweight in February. Volkanovski jumped to 155 pounds to face the newly crowned champion, Islam Makhachev. The Russian dominated Charles Oliveira last October to win the gold but didn’t have as easy of a time with the featherweight champion.

Coach admits Khabib Nurmagomedov was ‘concerned’ for Islam Makhachev in fight with Alexander Volkanovski
Harry Kettle - April 20, 2023
Javier Mendez has admitted that Khabib Nurmagomedov was concerned for Islam Makhachev heading into his fight against Alexander Volkanovski. While he may have walked away from mixed martial arts, Khabib Nurmagomedov is still a fan. In addition to that, he’s also heavily invested in the success of his friends and family who compete in the sport.

Sean Strickland questions Islam Makhachev’s treatment of Hasbulla: “This sh*t just weirds me out”
Susan Cox - March 22, 2023
Sean Strickland is questioning Islam Makhachev’s treatment of Hasbulla. Strickland is making it clear that the way Islam Makhachev treats popular internet sensation Hasbulla Magomedov is weirding him out.

Colby Covington tells Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev to shut their mouths: “They’re all talk and no walk like myself.”
Harry Kettle - March 22, 2023
UFC star Colby Covington has lashed out at Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev as he prepares to make his return. Last weekend at UFC 285, Colby Covington made his presence known. In addition to serving as the back-up fighter for the main event, he also challenged Leon Edwards for the UFC welterweight title after his win over Kamaru Usman.