Islam Makhachev News

Cole Shelton - October 8, 2020

Islam Makhachev is looking to remain on UFC 254 and is hoping Michael Chandler will step up. Makhachev was originally supposed to fight Rafael dos Anjos, yet the Brazilian announced he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is out of the fight. So, for Makhachev, he hopes Chandler, who is serving as the backup for UFC 254’s title fight will step up.

Harry Kettle - September 23, 2020

UFC veteran Rafael dos Anjos is reinventing himself ahead of another push to try and claim a UFC championship. Dos Anjos is a popular figure within the mixed martial arts community and is known as a true legend of the game. However, with his 36th birthday coming up next month, some believe that his time as an elite fighter is coming to an end.

Chris Taylor - August 15, 2020

Two massive UFC lightweight fights are now slated for the fall of 2020, in addition to October’s title unification bout. At UFC 254 on October 24 reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will look to keep his perfect record intact when he squares off with interim title holder Justin Gaethje.

Adam Martin - March 1, 2020

An exciting lightweight bout between top-15 ranked Islam Makhachev and Alexander Hernandez is the latest addition to UFC 249. MMAjunkie.com reported that Makhachev vs. Hernandez has been verbally agreed to for UFC 249, which takes place on April 18 at Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York. The main event sees UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov take on Tony Ferguson.

Cole Shelton - January 14, 2020

Islam Makhachev believes Kevin Lee took the easy way out by not fighting him. In the main event of UFC Brasilia, Lee will battle Charles Oliveira which kind of came out of nowhere to many. Especially given the fact, Makhachev and “Motown Phenom” have been going back-and-forth for several months now about a possible fight and it only intensified after Lee knocked out Gregor Gillespie. Both sides seemed interested in the fight but for whatever reasons they could not come to terms.

Natasha Hooper - January 6, 2020

Islam Makhachev has his sights set on his next opponent and won’t back down. The Dagestani fighter took to Twitter to try and force Dana White’s hand and organize a matchup against Kevin Lee. Makhachev has tallied 7 wins and only 1 professional loss since making his UFC debut in 2015. Alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov and Zabit Magomedsharipov, the accomplished fighter is regarded amongst the best fighters to come out of Russia.

Tom Taylor - December 23, 2019

Over the weekend, UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee divulged to Helen Yee that he has received an offer to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 249 in Brooklyn, New York this April. Lee added that he and the UFC are waiting on Makhachev to sign his contract, and that it’s not clear what the delay is. Kevin Lee tells me his next fight offered will be against Islam Mackhachev in the Khabib vs Tony Ferguson card in April in Brooklyn. According to Kevin, they’re waiting on Islam and not sure what the holdup is. Interview coming shortly.

Adam Martin - November 3, 2019

Fresh off a massive head kick KO over Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244, lightweight contender Kevin Lee and his rival Islam Makhachev have agreed to a fight. Immediately after Lee knocked out Gillespie, Makhachev took to his Twitter and congratulated Lee on the win and challenged him to a fight. Here’s what the Russian said.

Harry Kettle - October 9, 2019

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker and former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier have a difference of opinion when it comes to who Hooker should face next inside the Octagon. The Kiwi star was able to defeat Al Iaquinta at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia to establish himself as one to watch at 155 pounds. The next natural step would be for him to face someone higher up in the rankings, but with Raging Al fighting down the rankings to face Hooker, a lot of fans believe Dan should be doing the very same thing.

Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019

Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has called out Dan Hooker after Hooker’s victory over Al Iaquinta in the co-main event of UFC 243. Makhachev took to Twitter to respond to “The Hangman” calling out Dustin Poirier. Here’s what Makhachev said.

Tom Taylor - September 17, 2019

Late last week, Kevin Lee announced his intention to return to the lightweight division after a brief stint at welterweight. He stated that he hopes to work his way toward a title fight with lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, and that he’s interested in battling Nurmagomedov’s training partner Islam Makhachev in the meantime. “After looking at that last fight with Khabib, I did an interview before Khabib fought Dustin (Poirier) and said I wasn’t too impressed,” Lee told ESPN (via MMA Mania). “But after seeing the way Khabib handled Dustin, I might want a piece of that cake. I like the biggest target I can find. He’s the real challenge out there. He’s the guy who is going to challenge Jon Jones for the pound-for-pound title. That’s the kind of fight that will get me up.

Tom Taylor - August 27, 2019

On Monday, Conor McGregor stablemate Dillon Danis took a shot at Khabib Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev, keeping the beef between their two teams alive and well. one day this fight needs to happen 🖕🏻 pic.twitter.com/NhYKvibBLN

Tom Taylor - May 6, 2019

The UFC is headed to Abu Dhabi with UFC 242 on September 7, and a number of top Russian fighters are expected to compete on the card. Khabib Nurmagomedov is rumored to be defending his undisputed lightweight title against Dustin Poirier in the main event, while other stars like Islam Makhachev, Zubaira Tukhugov and Mairbek Taisumov are reportedly in talks to join the card. Former UFC lightweight and featherweight champ Conor McGregor has some pretty incendiary opinions about several of these fighters.

James Lynch - February 5, 2019

Kevin Lee may have his next opponent. On Monday the “Motown Phenom” verbally agreed to fight Islam Makhachev as the two got into an entertaining exchange on Twitter.

Cole Shelton - November 6, 2018

The UFC just announced three exciting fights for 2019. The ESPN-era is almost here, and to kick off the first card on ESPN+, Paige VanZant (7-4) will make her long-awaited return to the Octagon. VanZant will take on The Ultimate Fighter season 26 alum Rachael Ostovich (4-4) on January 18 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Chris Taylor - February 11, 2017

A lightweight bout between Nik Lentz and Islam Makhachev took place on tonight’s UFC 208 prelims. Round one begins and Nik immediately engages Islam in the clinch. Makhachev scores a quick trip takedown and begins working from full guard. Lentz locks up a guillotine choke but cannot secure the submission. Islam pops his head out and begins working some strikes. Nik scrambles but cannot get back up to his feet. Good top control here from Islam. He works some short strikes from the top. Lentz is working for another guillotine choke. He locks it up but it does not appear to be tight. Round one comes to an end.

bjpenndotcom - April 15, 2016

News broke Friday afternoon that UFC on FOX 19 fighter Islam Makhachev had been pulled from his UFC on FOX 19 fight with Drew Dober after it was discovered that he had Meldonium in his system. The UFC issued a statement regarding the situation, which also revealed that Meldonium was only placed on the WADA banned substance list as of January 1st.

bjpenndotcom - April 15, 2016

Friday afternoon news broke that Islam Makhachev had been pulled from his UFC on FOX 19 scrap with Drew Dober on Saturday in Tampa after it was discovered that he had used a banned substance. The UFC promptly released a statement on the situation via UFC.com which read: