Islam Makhachev News
Kamaru Usman proposes some fun fights for the UFC's lightweight division
Harry Kettle - March 21, 2025
Former UFC champion Kamaru Usman has put forward some ideas for the future of the promotion’s lightweight division. The Ultimate Fighting Championship has been incredibly lucky over the last five to ten years or so. There are a couple reasons for that, but one that comes to mind is this: the lightweight division. From top to bottom, the UFC has had an absolutely stacked top 15 and beyond at 155 pounds for the longest time. There are some absolute killers residing at lightweight, and we can’t think when that wasn’t the case.
Alexander Volkanovski makes prediction for possible Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria fight
BJ Penn Staff - March 18, 2025
Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria are two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC right now, and there is only one man who has fought them both: Alexander Volkanovski. Australia’s Volkanovski has actually fought Makhachev twice, both times for the lightweight title. He lost their first fight with a razor-close decision, and their second by first-round KO. Of course it’s worth noting he took the second fight on short notice. He fought Topuria in his last fight, surrendering the title with a second-round knockout loss. He is perhaps the best win on Makhachev or Topuria’s resume.
UFC legend explains why Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria would be an 'insult'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 18, 2025
One legendary UFC name finds it insulting for Islam Makhachev to be asked to fight Ilia Topuria. Makhachev has made it clear that he’d rather fight an established contender at 155 pounds over another featherweight. Makhachev scored two wins over Alexander Volkanovski when “The Great” was the 145-pound champion. With Topuria moving up to lightweight, Makhachev would prefer if “El Matador” wins a No. 1 contender fight.
Arman Tsarukyan expects Ilia Topuria to challenge Islam Makhachev for UFC lightweight title next
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 14, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan believes the next UFC lightweight title challenger will be Ilia Topuria. Recently, Dana White announced that the main event of UFC 314 will determine a new UFC Featherweight Champion. Topuria will officially vacate the 145-pound gold once Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes begins. Topuria made the decision to relinquish the featherweight title in favor of moving up to the lightweight division.
Jon Anik believes Justin Gaethje deserves a shot at Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - March 13, 2025
UFC commentator Jon Anik believes Justin Gaethje deserves a crack at Islam Makhachev’s UFC title. Last weekend, Justin Gaethje proved that he’s still an elite competitor in the lightweight division. He went toe to toe with Rafael Fiziev for the second time, and for the second time, he came away with a blockbuster victory.
Justin Gaethje calls out Islam Makhachev following recent UFC 313 win: "Dana White, I am ready"
Josh Evanoff - March 11, 2025
Justin Gaethje badly wants a fight against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. ‘The Highlight’ is fresh off his return to the octagon at UFC 313 over the weekend. Appearing in the co-main event, Justin Gaethje faced Rafael Fiziev. The bout was his first since his devastating knockout loss to Max Holloway last April. While the former ‘BMF’ titleholder was coming off a brutal stoppage defeat, it didn’t look that way on Saturday.
Henry Cejudo believes Ilia Topuria should get Islam Makhachev title fight
Harry Kettle - February 28, 2025
Henry Cejudo believes Ilia Topuria should receive a UFC lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev in his first fight at 155 pounds. As we know, Ilia Topuria is set to make the move up to the lightweight division. In doing so, he will be vacating his featherweight championship.
MMA fans react to Islam Makhachev's cryptic message regarding possible Ilia Topuria fight
Harry Kettle - February 26, 2025
MMA fans have given their thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s cryptic message regarding a possible Ilia Topuria fight. As we know, Islam Makhachev is the UFC lightweight champion – and he’s also one of the most feared men in all of mixed martial arts. In addition to that, he’s also starting to enter the conversation for best lightweights of all time, with some believing that he’s already made his way to the top of the list.
Islam Makhachev's manager sounds off on possible Ilia Topuria bout: "We already gave chances to featherweight champ"
Josh Evanoff - February 20, 2025
Islam Makhachev’s manager doesn’t seem to be a fan of a potential bout with former UFC champion Ilia Topuria. The UFC lightweight champion is fresh off his return to the cage last month in Los Angeles. There, Islam Makhachev met a short-notice replacement, Renato Moicano. While he was initially set to face Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311, an injury forced him out. As a result, Makhachev handed the short-notice ‘Money Moicano’ a first-round submission loss.
Islam Makhachev isn't afraid of Ilia Topuria, says UFC Hall of Famer
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2025
One UFC Hall of Famer says that Islam Makhachev has no fear of fighting Ilia Topuria. Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion, while Topuria holds the featherweight gold. Topuria has expressed interest in a champion vs. champion showdown, but Makhachev has let it be known that he prefers to go after “champ-champ” status. “El Matador” believes Makhachev is avoiding a fight against him.
Islam Makhachev responds to Dana White teasing something big for his next fight
Harry Kettle - February 14, 2025
UFC champion Islam Makhachev has responded to Dana White teasing something big for his next fight in the promotion. As we know, Islam Makhachev is the pound for pound best fighter in the UFC right now – and potentially in all of mixed martial arts. He continues to dominate at the elite level, serving as one of the best lightweights of all time. Of course, fans are always ready to look ahead to the future, and many want to know what’s next for him.
UFC champion Ilia Topuria teases fight news amid rumors of bout against Islam Makhachev: "Maybe the next week"
Josh Evanoff - February 13, 2025
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria hopes to announce his return next week. ‘El Matador’ hasn’t been seen in the octagon since his title defense against Max Holloway in October. Just a few months after knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to win UFC gold, Ilia Topuria met the red-hot ‘Blessed’. Holloway entered the bout after his knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April, hoping to win the featherweight title for the second time.
Joe Rogan pushes for Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev next: "Make the big fight"
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2025
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is hopeful that Ilia Topuria will move up to lightweight to face Islam Makhachev next time out. Topuria has been hinting at a potential fight with Makhachev for the lightweight title. It would be a massive fight, but some fans want to see him defend the featherweight title a couple more times.
Alexander Volkanovski reacts after Ilia Topuria states his desire to fight Islam Makhachev next: “I’ll fight whoever for that belt”
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2025
Alexander Volkanovski has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria wanting to fight Islam Makhachev next instead of him. As we know, Alexander Volkanovski is an absolutely massive fan favorite in the world of mixed martial arts. He had an incredible run as featherweight champion, and he also dared to be great by moving up to lightweight. Now, his former foe Ilia Topuria is attempting to do the same in order to try and become a two-weight world champion.
Chael Sonnen is convinced that Islam Makhachev is eager to leave lightweight division
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2025
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has explained why he believes Islam Makhachev is eager to leave the lightweight division. Islam Makhachev is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship right now. He’s also the UFC lightweight champion. Oh, and he’s also heavily teased the idea of moving up in search of a second world title. So, in summary, he’s pretty busy these days.
Dana White casts doubt on Islam Makhachev's talk of moving to middleweight: "That's a whole other level"
Josh Evanoff - January 30, 2025
UFC President Dana White doesn’t seem to be a fan of Islam Makhachev’s tease of a move to middleweight. The UFC lightweight champion is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 311 earlier this month. Back for the first time since a submission win over Dustin Poirier last June, Islam Makhachev faced Renato Moicano. ‘Money Moicano’ stepped up on short notice, being thrown into the main event after Arman Tsarukyan withdrew during fight week due to a neck injury.
Dricus du Plessis explains why Islam Makhachev super fight would be 'easy payday' for him
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2025
Dricus du Plessis doesn’t see Islam Makhachev giving him much of a problem if they ever share the Octagon. Both du Plessis and Makhachev currently hold UFC gold. The middleweight title belongs to du Plessis, and he will look to have a second successful defense when he meets Sean Strickland in a rematch on February 8th. As for Makhachev, he recently made history by setting a new record for the most successful UFC Lightweight Championship defenses when he submitted Renato Moicano.
Islam Makhachev shares preference on who he wants to fight next: 'I like this idea'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025
Islam Makhachev wants a fresh UFC title challenger for his next defense. Makhachev put his name in the history books after he set a new record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses. He defeated Renato Mociano, who was a late replacement opponent after Arman Tsarukyan pulled out of the fight due to a back injury. Makhachev ended up submitting Moicano in the opening frame to push his title defenses to four.