Islam Makhachev News

Michael Chandler says Islam Makhachev still has work to do before staking claim to a title shot: “Beating Bobby Green doesn’t get you a title shot”
Susan Cox - March 11, 2022
In speaking on the YouTube podcast ‘The Schmo and The Pro’, Michael Chandler weighed in on Islam Makhachev getting a title shot in the UFC. Michael Chandler (22-7 MMA) last fought back in November 2021 at UFC 268 where he suffered defeat at the hands of Justin Gaethje (23-3 MMA). ‘Iron’ is now scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson (26-6 MMA) in a much anticipated bout at UFC 274 on May 7, 2022, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Charles Oliveira "blows Gaethje and Islam out of the water," says Kevin Lee
Cole Shelton - March 10, 2022
Kevin Lee has said Charles Oliveira is the best lightweight he has fought and he is sticking by that. Oliveira has been doubted countless times in his career. ‘Do Bronx’ was the underdog to Lee and Dustin Poirier among countless others and some have even labeled him a “quitter”. Yet, for ‘The Motown Phenom’ he says Oliveira is the most skilled fighter he’s fought and believes the champ easily beats both Justin Gaethje and Islam Makhachev.

Islam Makhachev rips Conor McGregor amid talks of the Irishman getting a title shot: "He’s never gonna be champion"
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2022
Islam Makhachev doesn’t think Conor McGregor deserves a title shot but if he gets it, he doesn’t see it going well for him. After Makhachev reportedly turned down a fight against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 272, Dana White said he would rebook the fight against Beneil Dariush. With that, many thought it opened up the door for McGregor to get a title shot which Islam doesn’t see happening, but if it does, he doesn’t think it ends well for the Irishman.

Islam Makhachev refutes Dana White’s claim that he turned down RDA, reacts to news that he must fight Beneil Dariush
Harry Kettle - March 8, 2022
UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev has explained why he didn’t end up fighting Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 272. It’s been a rollercoaster ride of a few weeks for Islam Makhachev ever since he beat Bobby Green on short notice at UFC Vegas 49. The Russian star was initially supposed to take on Beneil Dariush, only for an injury to rule his opponent out of the contest.

Conor McGregor expresses interest in fighting “embarrassing” Islam Makhachev
Susan Cox - March 4, 2022
Conor McGregor has expressed an interest in fighting ’embarrassing’ Islam Makhachev. Yup, it looks like ‘The Notorious’ is at it again, making more enemies with his trash talk.

Dana White reveals Islam Makhachev turned down fight with Rafael dos Anjos: "I thought we had it done"
Josh Evanoff - March 2, 2022
Dana White has revealed that Islam Makhachev turned down a fight with Rafael dos Anjos for this weekend. Last week, the MMA world went crazy after Rafael Fiziev fell out of his UFC 272 bout with the former lightweight champion. Many fighters quickly stepped up to take the short-notice co-main event fight. Many stepped up, but one drew attention more than the rest, being Islam Makhachev.

Brendan Schaub believes Conor McGregor vs. Islam Makhachev should be next for 'The Notorious': "There's history there"
Josh Evanoff - March 1, 2022
Brendan Schaub has revealed that he believes that Conor McGregor should fight Islam Makhachev next. The Russian fighter is coming off a first-round TKO victory over Bobby Green at UFC Vegas 49. With the victory, many figured that he would get a title shot next. However, the lightweight title picture is a bit foggy at the moment.

Islam Makhachev leapfrogs Beneil Dariush in latest UFC rankings update
Susan Cox - March 1, 2022
Islam Makhachev has moved to #3 in the UFC lightweight rankings, behind Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier. Consequently Beneil Dariush has moved down to #4 in the overall rankings. Islam Makhachev (22-1 MMA) defeated Bobby Green (29-13) this past Saturday, February 26th via technical knockout in the first round at UFC Vegas 49. Green had accepted the last minute fight just 10 days after Beneil Dariush (21-4 MMA) withdrew due to an ankle injury. That withdrawal cost ‘Benny’ a spot in the rankings and put the Russian fighter at #3.

What's next for Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green after UFC Vegas 49?
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 49, a pivotal lightweight bout headlined the card as Islam Makhachev took on Bobby Green. Makhachev entered the fight coming off a first-round submission win over Dan Hooker at UFC 267 in October. He went 3-0 in 2021 with submission wins over Thiago Moises and Drew Dober as well. Green, meanwhile, stepped up on 10 days’ notice after Beneil Dariush was forced out of the bout, marking his second fight in just 14 days.

Islam Makhachev opens as a massive favorite over both Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2022
Islam Makhachev has opened as a sizeable favorite over both Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje for potential fights. Oliveira is set to defend his lightweight strap against Gaethje in the main event of UFC 274 on May 7. It’s a fascinating fight and many expect Makhachev will face whoever wins thanks to his TKO victory over Bobby Green on Saturday. Although he would be the challenger, the oddsmakers believe Makhachev beats both of them with ease.

Islam Makhachev shared some harsh words for Conor McGregor after dominating Bobby Green at UFC Vegas 49
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 27, 2022
Islam Makhachev has dismissed Conor McGregor being a potential threat to his run. Makhachev is riding a 10-fight winning streak. He extended the streak with his first-round TKO victory over Bobby Green. Many believe Makhachev is now destined to challenge the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje.

Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts to Islam Makhachev’s dominant win at UFC Vegas 49: “If Charles beat Justin Gaethje, it’s going to be amazing fight”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 27, 2022
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes a UFC Lightweight Title shot is next for Islam Makhachev. On Feb. 26, Makhachev shared the Octagon with Bobby Green. The 160-pound catchweight bout headlined UFC Vegas 49. Makhachev was initially set to meet Beneil Dariush but that plan was derailed after Beneil suffered an injury.

UFC Vegas 49 Bonus Report: Ji Yeon Kim and Priscila Cachoeira earn 'FOTN' honors
Chris Taylor - February 26, 2022
The Octagon remained in Nevada for today’s UFC Vegas 49 event, an eleven-bout fight card headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Bobby Green. The highly anticipated 160lbs catchweight contest proved to be the one-sided affair that many fans and pundits were expecting. Islam Makhachev was able to get the fight to the floor early in the opening frame and quickly proceeded to move to mount. From there, the Russian unloaded a plethora of ground and pound which forced the referee to step in and call off the contest.

Pros react after Islam Makhachev TKO's Bobby Green at UFC Vegas 49
Chris Taylor - February 26, 2022
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 49 event was headlined by a 160lbs catchweight bout between Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green. Makhachev (22-1 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since October’s UFC 267 event, where he had scored a first round submission victory over Dan Hooker. The Russian standout was riding a nine-fight winning streak, which included three-straight stoppage victories, heading into tonight’s affair.

UFC Vegas 49 Results: Islam Makhachev TKO's Bobby Green (Video)
Chris Taylor - February 26, 2022
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 49 event is headlined by a 160lbs catchweight bout between Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green. Makhachev (21-1 MMA) last competed at October’s UFC 267 event, where he scored a first round submission victory over Dan Hooker. The Russian standout is currently riding a nine-fight winning streak, which includes three-straight stoppage victories.

UFC Vegas 49: 'Makhachev vs. Green' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - February 26, 2022
The Octagon remains in Nevada for today’s UFC Vegas 49 event, an eleven-bout fight card headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Bobby Green. Makhachev (21-1 MMA) last competed at October’s UFC 267 event, where he scored a first round submission victory over Dan Hooker. The Russian standout is currently riding a nine-fight winning streak, which includes three-straight stoppage victories.

Bobby Green blasts "f*****g boring" Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC Vegas 49: "I fall asleep watching his fights"
Cole Shelton - February 24, 2022
Bobby Green is not a fan of Islam Makhachev’s style. Green is set to face Makhachev in the main event of UFC Vegas 49 on Saturday night. Green stepped up on short notice to face Makhachev at a 160lbs catchweight fight. “King” just fought at UFC 271 on February 12 and although he thinks Makhachev is a tough test he admits this is a fight he doesn’t think will be entertaining. Instead, he says the Dagestani fighter is boring and isn’t entertaining.

Islam Makhachev reveals plans to trash-talk Bobby Green mid-fight: "I'm going to take him down and tell him to get up"
Josh Evanoff - February 23, 2022
Islam Makhachev has revealed part of his game plan for Saturday night’s main event against Bobby Green. He apparently intends to take his foe down and talk some trash to him. Green is coming into the bout on only ten days’ notice but has done a great job promoting it. The longtime fan-favorite has made his name by trash-talking in general, but especially in the cage. ‘King’ became a COVID-19 sensation for his audible trash-talk that was heard in the empty UFC Apex.