Islam Makhachev News

Adam D Martin - July 18, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev called out Michael Chandler, saying that “you come from Bellator, I want to check your skills.” Makhachev defeated Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31 via fourth-round submission, and it was the type of statement win that should earn the No. 9 ranked lightweight in the UFC a step up in competition. Following his win over Moises, Makhachev took the mic and called out Rafael dos Anjos, the former UFC lightweight champion. But in his post-event interview with reporter Heidi Androl, Makhachev used it as an opportunity to call out Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion turned UFC fighter and analyst.

Adam D Martin - July 18, 2021

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov outlined the plan for Islam Makhachev to be named the 2021 fighter of the year in MMA. Makhachev defeated Thiago Moises via fourth-round submission at UFC Vegas 31 on Saturday in what was arguably his coming-out party. Makhachev now has a 9-1 record in the UFC with an eight-fight win streak and he is quickly emerging as one of the best fighters in the division in the post-Nurmagomedov world. In fact, his longtime friend and training partner is so confident in Makhachev’s abilities that he believes he has what it takes to be the fighter of the year in 2021, although he knows it will be an uphill battle.

Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021

Islam Makhachev is hoping to resolve the unfinished business of his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov following his win over Thiago Moises at UFC Vegas 31. Makhachev (20-1 MMA) and Moises (15-5 MMA) squared off in the headliner of tonight’s UFC event in Las Vegas. The result was an eighth straight victory for the Russian standout, who submitted Thiago with a rear-naked choke midway through the fourth of their fight.

Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021

The Octagon remained in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event, a 10-bout fight card headline by Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises. The highly anticipated lightweight main event resulted in Makhachev’s eighth win in a row, as the Russian standout was able to finish Moises with a submission in round four.

Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event is headlined by a key lightweight bout between perennial division contenders Islam Makhachev and Thiago Moises. Makhachev (19-1 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since UFC 259, where he scored a third round submission victory over Drew Dober. The Russian standout has gone a perfect 7-0 since suffering his first career loss back at UFC 192 in October of 2015.

Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021

The Octagon remains in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event, a ten-bout fight card headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises. Makhachev (19-1 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since UFC 259, where he scored a third round submission victory over Drew Dober. The Russian standout has gone a perfect 7-0 since suffering his first career loss back at UFC 192 in October of 2015.

Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event is down to a total of 10 contests following a last minute fight cancellation. Men’s bantamweight fighters Miles Johns and Anderson Dos Santos were expected to collide on today’s fight night prelims. However, due to a positive Covid test in the Brazilians camp, the fight has been called off for precautionary reasons.

Adam D Martin - July 16, 2021

The official weigh-ins for UFC Vegas 31 took place on Friday in Las Vegas, Nevada, and all 22 fighters scheduled to compete have made weight. In the main event of the evening, No. 9 ranked UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev puts his seven-fight win streak on the line when he takes on the No. 14 ranked Thiago Moises. Makhachev and Moises both successfully made weight on Friday, with each man coming in at 155.5lbs and 156lbs, respectively. This will be the first five-round fight for each fighter during their UFC careers and the winner should get a top-10 opponent. Keep in mind the original main event for UFC Vegas 31 was supposed to be Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez, but that fight fell off and Makhachev and Moises got bumped up.

Cole Shelton - July 15, 2021

Islam Makhachev is hoping to fight Tony Ferguson after UFC Vegas 31. Makhachev is set to headline the Fight Night card on Saturday against Thiago Moises. If the Dagestani native wins, it’s likely he will get a top-ranked opponent and he’s hoping to face Ferguson next time out so he can finally retire him.

Adam D Martin - July 15, 2021

Islam Makhachev would “maul” Charles Oliveira and “finish” Dustin Poirier, says former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Makhachev returns to the Octagon this Saturday night in the main event of UFC Vegas 31 against fellow top-15 ranked lightweight Thiago Moises. For Makhachev, he is now 8-1 in the UFC and currently riding a seven-fight win streak, so a win over Moises will likely earn him an elite opponent his next time out. With Nurmagomedov now retired, Makhachev has a clear path to get to the top of the division without fighting his friend and training partner.

Cole Shelton - July 14, 2021

Check out the complete betting odds for this Saturday’s UFC Vegas 31 card featuring a lightweight bout between Islam Makhachev and Thiago Moises. In the main event of UFC Vegas 31, Islam Makhachev will headline his first UFC card as the top-10 contender will battle 14th ranked, Thiago Moises. Makhachev is coming off a submission win over Drew Dober and is riding a seven-fight winning streak. The Dagestani native is 8-1 in the UFC and holds notable wins over Arman Tsaryukan, Davi Ramos, and Gleison Tibau. Moises, meanwhile, is on a three-fight winning skid as he’s coming off back-to-back decision wins over Alexander Hernandez and Bobby Green. The former RFA lightweight champ also holds notable wins over Michael Johnson and Kurt Holobaugh.

Cole Shelton - July 13, 2021

Thiago Moises didn’t expect to fight Islam Makhachev next time out but immediately accepted the scrap when it was offered to him at UFC Vegas 31. Moises, who is on a three-fight winning streak and coming off a win over Alexander Hernandez, figured he’d fight someone ranked right near him. Yet, when he got the call to fight Makhachev, it was an immediate yes for the Brazilian.

Harry Kettle - May 18, 2021

Daniel Cormier believes that Islam Makhachev is receiving the “Kamaru Usman” treatment by suggesting nobody in the top 15 wants to fight him. Makhachev, who is currently riding a seven-fight win streak in the UFC, is set to fight Thiago Moisés this July in a bout that has left many fans confused. While Thiago is certainly a worthy opponent, the popular opinion seems to be that Makhachev could quite easily be booked against someone placed higher up in the 155-pound division.

Adam Martin - May 16, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev reacted after Charles Oliveira defeating Michael Chandler at UFC 262, telling him “see you soon.” Oliveira pulled off an incredible win over Chandler at Saturday’s big UFC pay-per-view card when he was able to finish him with strikes in the second round for his ninth straight win. With UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov retiring from the sport a few months back and giving up his title, Oliveira is now the undisputed champion at 155lbs. It’s an incredible accomplishment and he deserves to take some time off to enjoy the belt. But there are plenty of contenders who are eagerly waiting to fight him, including Makhachev.

Adam D Martin - May 13, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev is set to return to the Octagon at a summer Fight Night card when he takes on Thiago Moises. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was the first to break the news of the Makhachev vs. Moises fight. It will take place on the July 17 UFC Fight Night card and will be a three-round fight. The card currently does not have the main event lined up for it, but other fights on this card include Aspen Ladd vs. Macy Chiasson, Miranda Maverick vs. Maycee Barber, and Raphael Assuncao vs. Kyler Phillips. Expect the UFC to announce the main event for the card soon.

Cole Shelton - March 23, 2021

Islam Makhachev believes he will face a top-10 opponent next time out. At UFC 259, Makhachev dominated Drew Dober en route to a third-round submission win. The victory extended his winning streak to seven in a row and is looking to fight a top-ranked opponent. The goal was to rebook the Rafael dos Anjos fight this summer in the main event spot, but he is also open to fighting anyone in the top-10.

Adam Martin - March 10, 2021

UFC lightweight Rafael dos Anjos says he is open to fighting Islam Makhachev but there is a special condition that needs to be met first. Dos Anjos and Makhachev were supposed to meet back at UFC 254 in October and then at a UFC Fight Night card in November, but the fight was postponed and eventually scratched. Dos Anjos instead fought Paul Felder and beat him by split decision, while Makhachev returned to the Octagon this past Saturday at UFC 259, defeating Drew Dober via third-round submission.

Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021

Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos isn’t buying the hype surrounding rising contender Islam Makhachev. Makhachev, a long-time friend and training partner of Khabib Nurmagomedov, returned to the cage on the UFC 259 main card last Saturday in Las Vegas, where he picked up an impressive submission victory over Drew Dober.