Islam Makhachev News
Daniel Cormier praises Islam Makhachev: "As talented as anyone in the world"
Adam Martin - January 3, 2021
MMA analyst Daniel Cormier praised Islam Makhachev, suggesting the AKA product is one of the most talented fighters in the world. Cormier and Makhachev are teammates at American Kickboxing Academy, alongside UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. With the champion contemplating retirement, fans and media have wondered who could make a run up the division if Nurmagomedov does indeed hang up his gloves. One of those fighters could be Makhachev, the No. 13 ranked UFC lightweight. The Russian is 7-1 overall in the UFC and is in his prime at 29 years old.
Islam Makhachev targeted for UFC 259 return against rising contender Drew Dober
Adam Martin - December 11, 2020
A highly-intriguing lightweight bout between top-15 ranked fighters Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober has been added to UFC 259. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto confirmed the fight between Makhachev and Dober, which is likely to take place at UFC 259 on March 6. There is no main event for that card currently set, but UFC president Dana White previously said the UFC is targeting a heavyweight title rematch between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou for the March PPV event.
Islam Makhachev reacts to Rafael dos Anjos’ win over Paul Felder: “Let’s finish our business in nearest future”
Adam D Martin - November 15, 2020
UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev reacted to Rafael dos Anjos’ win over Paul Felder, by saying “Let’s finish our business in nearest future.” Makhachev was set to take on dos Anjos at UFC 254 in October, but RDA was forced to withdraw from the bout due to testing positive for COVID-19. The UFC then booked Makhachev and RDA in their own headliner on the UFC Vegas 14 card two weeks later, but Makhachev was forced out of the fight due to health issues. In turn, Paul Felder stepped in on five days’ notice and saved the card. The rest, as they say, is history.
Islam Makhachev issues statement after being forced out of fight with Rafael dos Anjos
Harry Kettle - November 9, 2020
UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev has released a statement after being forced out of his proposed main event against Rafael dos Anjos. After their bout at UFC 254 was called off due to dos Anjos testing positive for COVID-19, the two men were paired together in the main event of UFC Vegas 14. That fight was set to take place this Saturday night at the UFC APEX but now, Makhachev will have to once again wait for a new date – and potentially a new opponent – as he continues his road to recovery.
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Islam Makhachev matchup rescheduled for UFC Vegas 15
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
A lightweight fight between Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos has been rescheduled for UFC Vegas 15 on November 14. This news was first reported by MMADNA.nl.
UFC 254: ‘Khabib vs Gaethje’ fight card receives shakeup following the removal of Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - October 15, 2020
The UFC 254 card has been hit by a late change as the Islam Makhachev vs. Rafael dos Anjos fight has been officially called off. Many fans were excited to see Makhachev get back into the cage and attempt to extend his current winning streak at UFC 254, but he won’t be doing so on Fight Island after it was announced that the aforementioned dos Anjos was pulled from the card as a result of a positive COVID-19 test.
Ali Abdelaziz offers Tony Ferguson a unique proposal to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 254
Chris Taylor - October 10, 2020
Dominance MMA owner Ali Abdelaziz has made a unique offer to Tony Ferguson in hopes of persuading ‘El Cucuy’ to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 254. Makhachev (18-1 MMA) was originally slated to square off with Rafael dos Anjos at this month’s pay-per-view event on Yas Island. However, ‘RDA’ was forced to withdraw from the contest after contracting the dreaded Coronavirus.
Ali Abdelaziz offers Islam Makhachev fight to Tony Ferguson at UFC 254
Andrew Whitelaw - October 8, 2020
Ali Abdelaziz has made an offer to Tony Ferguson. The Dominance MMA CEO tweeted to El Cucuy, asking him if he wanted to step in to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 254. His client is currently without an opponent, after news dropped that Rafael Dos Anjos was forced to withdraw after testing positive for Covid-19.
Photo | Rafael dos Anjos reinventing himself for another run at UFC gold
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.
Two massive UFC lightweight fights in the works for fall 2020
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.
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Hernandez added to UFC 249
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.
Kevin Lee says Islam Makhachev can 'still get it' after he fights Charles Oliveira
Cole Shelton - January 30, 2020
Kevin Lee has made it clear he is looking to sign two bout agreements at once. Lee is set to headline UFC Brasilia against Charles Oliveira on March 14, yet many expected him to fight Islam Makhachev. After Lee knocked out Gregor Gillespie, he and the Russian went back-and-forth and agreed to fight one another on social media. But, according to “The Motown Phenom” why it isn’t happening next is because Makhachev wanted to wait until June.
Islam Makhachev continues to call out Kevin Lee
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.
Islam Makhachev refutes Kevin Lee booking, calls for fight contract
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.
Kevin Lee and Islam Makhachev agree to fight
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.
Conor McGregor takes a shot at Islam Makhachev, the Russian standout responds
Adam D Martin - October 27, 2019
UFC superstar Conor McGregor took a shot at Russian standout Islam Makhachev, and the two got into an exchange of words on social media. The father of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Abdulmanap recently said he believes that Conor McGregor should fight Makhachev, who is a training partner of Khabib. McGregor evidently does not agree with what Khabib’s father suggested and took to his Twitter account to turn down the fight.
Islam Makhachev calls out Dan Hooker: 'Let's wrestle'
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.
Islam Makhachev fires back at Kevin Lee
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.