Islam Makhachev News
Chael Sonnen explains why Alex Volkanovski defeating Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 wouldn’t be that big of an upset: “How would that be shocking news?”
Harry Kettle - January 3, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has explained why Alex Volkanovski beating Islam Makhachev shouldn’t be seen as a big upset. At UFC 284, Alex Volkanovski will challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title. If he manages to pull off the win, he’ll become a two-weight UFC champion after already capturing the featherweight crown.
Sean O’Malley says he has a “weird feeling” about the upcoming Alex Volkanovski vs. Islam Makhachev title fight at UFC 284
Harry Kettle - January 3, 2023
Sean O’Malley has said he has a weird feeling about the upcoming match-up between Alex Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev. At UFC 284 next month, Alex Volkanovski will lock horns with Islam Makhachev. In the eyes of many, this gives Makhachev the chance to solidify himself as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the UFC.
Charles Oliveira makes his pick for Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev title fight
Andrew Whitelaw - December 29, 2022
Charles Oliveira has had his say on the winner of Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev. In what is one of the most eagerly-anticipated matches of 2023, The Australian will welcome the lightweight champion to Perth at UFC 284. ‘The Great’ will be competing at 155lb for the first time in his UFC career despite having fought as heavy as welterweight early in his career.
Bobby Green accuses Islam Makhachev of taking steroids from a young age: "There was something interesting about Islam"
Lewis Simpson - December 15, 2022
Bobby Green has accused UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev of taking steroids from a very young age. Green, who collides with Drew Dober this Saturday in Las Vegas, spent some time during his pre-fight media obligations claiming his most-recent opponent, Makhachev, had taken steroids in the past. The pair met earlier this year at UFC Vegas 49, where Makhachev scored a TKO victory in the opening round.
Paddy Pimblett believes he "would've put up a better fight" than Charles Oliveira did against Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2022
Paddy Pimblett wasn’t impressed with Charles Oliveira’s performance against Islam Makhachev. In the main event of UFC 280, Oliveira and Makhachev were fighting for the lightweight title – the division where Pimblett fights in – and Makhachev ended up winning by second-round submission. It was a great performance from Makhachev who dominated the fight from start to finish. Yet, for Pimblett, he was more surprised at Oliveira’s lack of performance. With that, he thinks he would’ve done better than the Brazilian did.
Rafael dos Anjos “can’t understand” why Islam Makhachev is fighting Alex Volkanovski instead of taking “a real challenge” at lightweight
Harry Kettle - December 6, 2022
Rafael dos Anjos has questioned Islam Makhachev for taking on Alex Volkanovski in his next fight at lightweight. In the aftermath of his win at UFC 280, it didn’t take long for Islam Makhachev to get his next fight booked.
Rafael dos Anjos explains why he “wouldn’t be sad” if Islam Makhachev fight never comes to fruition
Harry Kettle - December 1, 2022
Rafael dos Anjos has explained why he wouldn’t be upset if a fight between himself and Islam Makhachev never happens. On multiple occasions across the last few years, Rafael dos Anjos and Islam Makhachev have been scheduled to fight one another. However, for whatever reason, it hasn’t quite come to fruition – whether it be due to injury or outside factors.
Coach explains why Charles Oliveira turned down Islam Makhachev rematch at UFC 283: “There’s an emotional stress”
Harry Kettle - November 30, 2022
Charles Oliveira’s coach and manager Diego Lima has revealed his student turned down an immediate rematch with Islam Makhachev. Back at UFC 280 last month, Charles Oliveira was submitted by Islam Makhachev in the main event of the evening. The result, as we know, meant that Makhachev captured the UFC lightweight championship.
Joe Rogan explains how Alex Volkanovski can “probably” pose problems for Islam Makhachev at UFC 284
Harry Kettle - November 29, 2022
Joe Rogan has given his thoughts on how Alex Volkanovski could pose a problem for Islam Makhachev when they fight. It’s clear for many to see that Islam Makhachev will be the favourite against Alex Volkanovski. The pair will meet at UFC 284 in Perth with the UFC lightweight championship being on the line.
Javier Mendez believes Islam Makhachev got ranked too high, too early in pound-for-pound rankings: "They gave him this just because of one fight"
Cole Shelton - November 27, 2022
Javier Mendez, the coach of Islam Makhachev, doesn’t like how highly ranked his pupil is in the pound-for-pound rankings. Makhachev is ranked second in the UFC’s official pound-for-pound rankings following his submission win over Charles Oliveira to win the lightweight title. Yet, before the fight, Makhachev was not even in the pound-for-pound rankings so his coach doesn’t like how quickly, and how high the champ was put on the pound-for-pound list.
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski officially announced as UFC 284 main event
Cole Shelton - November 12, 2022
Islam Makhachev has his first title defense set. After Makhachev won the vacant title at UFC 280 with a submission win over Charles Oliveira, he called out featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski. The Aussie was the backup fighter for the card and the two had a staredown after Makhachev’s win.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals plans to be active ahead of Islam Makhachev superfight: "I'm at my peak right now"
Josh Evanoff - November 11, 2022
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski believes he’s in his prime, and he’s not going to waste it. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since his victory over Max Holloway in July. Following that victory, he announced his intentions to move to the lightweight division. Those plans were temporarily put on hold as he had to get surgery on an injured hand.
Islam Makhachev responds after Alex Volkanovksi casts doubt on potential super fight: “Enjoy your P4P first spot for now”
Zain Bando - November 5, 2022
The hype is already starting to intensify around a massive super fight between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski for the lightweight strap. However, before the fight can even happen, contracts and a venue have to be agreed upon. Volkanovski has had a tremendous run as featherweight champion, beating the likes of Max Holloway three times, Brian Ortega and Chan Sung Jung, to name a few. For Makhachev, he finally became a household name after claiming the vacant lightweight title from ex-champion, Charles Oliveira.
Michael Chandler admits Islam Makhachev is “the real deal” after dominant performance against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280
Harry Kettle - November 1, 2022
Michael Chandler has admitted that Islam Makhachev is the real deal following his win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. In the main event of last month’s Abu Dhabi PPV, Islam Makhachev finally became UFC lightweight champion. He did so by submitting Charles Oliveira in, simply put, dominant fashion.
Chael Sonnen doesn’t believe Islam Makhachev can take Michael Chandler down in a potential title fight
Susan Cox - October 31, 2022
Chael Sonnen doesn’t believe Islam Makhachev can take Michael Chandler down in a potential title fight. The 31 year old Makhachev (23-1 MMA) recently defeated Charles Oliveira (33-9 MMA) on Saturday, October 22nd of this year at UFC 280. In the process, the Russian captured the UFC lightweight champion title.
Joe Rogan heaps praise on Islam Makhachev after UFC 280 win: "That dude is on another level"
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2022
Joe Rogan is very impressed with Islam Makhachev. In the main event of UFC 280, Makhachev became the new lightweight champion with a second-round submission win over Charles Oliveira. It was a dominant performance from the Dagestani native and Rogan says the fight proved Makhachev was the truth.
Video | Newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev returns home to massive crowd awaiting him in Dagestan
Josh Evanoff - October 26, 2022
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has received a hero’s welcome home. The Dagestanian fighter is fresh off his headlining role with Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. The pay-per-view main event was meant to crown a new lightweight champion after ‘Do Bronx’ missed weight in May.
Islam Makhachev wants to earn pound-for-pound status by taking out Alex Volkanovski in enemy territory: “I have to go to Australia and beat this guy”
Susan Cox - October 24, 2022
Islam Makhachev has made it known that he wants to earn pound-for-pound status by taking out Alex Volkanovski in enemy territory. Hot off a second round submission win over Charles Oliveira (33-9 MMA) at UFC 280 this past Saturday, October 22nd in Abu Dhabi, Islam Makhachev (23-1 MMA) is already making plans for his next bout.