Islam Makhachev News
Alexander Volkanovski eyeing potential BMF title fight if Islam Makhachev is busy: "I can have three belts!"
Josh Evanoff - June 13, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski still wants to fight Islam Makhachev. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since his trip to lightweight in February. In the main event of UFC 284, Volkanovski faced Islam Makhachev in an instant classic. The two champions went back and forth for 25 minutes, with the lightweight champion retaining his title by unanimous decision.
Daniel Cormier weighs in on potential rematch between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev
Susan Cox - June 13, 2023
Daniel Cormier is weighing in on a potential rematch between Charles Oliveira and current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Oliveira (34-9 MMA) most recently defeated Beneil Dariush (22-5 MMA) via TKO at 4:10 of round 1. It all took place at UFC 289 last Saturday, June 10th, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev says the BMF title is for bums
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2023
Islam Makhachev has taken aim at the BMF belt. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion, but in the main event of UFC 291, two of the top 155lbs contenders in Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje are set to collide for the BMF belt. Many fans have mixed feelings on the belt and Makhachev says the BMF belt is for bums.
Islam Makhachev opens as a sizeable betting favorite for potential rematch with Charles Oliveira
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2023
Islam Makhachev will once again be the betting favorite over Charles Oliveira. At UFC 280, Makhachev opened as a -300 betting favorite and closed around -245 in a fight he ended up winning by second-round submission. Since then, Makhchev beat Alexander Volkanovski to defend his belt while Oliveira returned to the win column at UFC 289 with a first-round TKO win over Beneil Dariush.
Islam Makhachev reacts after the UFC books Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2 for the BMF title
Susan Cox - May 17, 2023
Islam Makhachev is reacting after the UFC booked Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2 for the BMF title. UFC President, Dana White, announced yesterday, May 16th that the lightweight five-round bout will be the headliner of UFC 291 which will take place on Saturday, July 29 at the Vivint Arena, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Colby Covington confident he'd KO Islam Makhachev if the lightweight champ moved up: "I think I dust him inside of three rounds"
Cole Shelton - May 9, 2023
Colby Covington doubts Islam Makhachev would move up to welterweight, but if he does he believes it would be an easy fight for him. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion and is expected to face the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush in October. After that, it’s uncertain who would be next and although there has been talk of Islam fighting at 170 before, Covington doubts that will happen.
Drew Dober names the fighter he believes is most capable of dethroning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev
Susan Cox - April 21, 2023
Drew Dober has named the fighter he believes is most capable of dethroning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Makhachev (24-1 MMA) is riding high after defeating Alexander Volkanovski (25-2 MMA) this past February at UFC 284.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals he passed up rematch with Islam Makhachev to stay active: "I've got to do what I've got to do"
Josh Evanoff - April 20, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is all about activity. ‘The Great’ has been out of the cage since his move to lightweight in February. Volkanovski jumped to 155 pounds to face the newly crowned champion, Islam Makhachev. The Russian dominated Charles Oliveira last October to win the gold but didn’t have as easy of a time with the featherweight champion.
Beneil Dariush takes aim at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev for “trying to run off to other divisions”
Harry Kettle - March 28, 2023
UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush has taken a shot at Islam Makhachev for contemplating a move up to welterweight. Following his win over Charles Oliveira last year, Islam Makhachev became the new UFC lightweight champion. Back in February, Makhachev defeated Alexander Volkanovski to successfully retain the strap.
Sean Strickland questions Islam Makhachev’s treatment of Hasbulla: “This sh*t just weirds me out”
Susan Cox - March 22, 2023
Sean Strickland is questioning Islam Makhachev’s treatment of Hasbulla. Strickland is making it clear that the way Islam Makhachev treats popular internet sensation Hasbulla Magomedov is weirding him out.
Colby Covington tells Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev to shut their mouths: “They’re all talk and no walk like myself.”
Harry Kettle - March 22, 2023
UFC star Colby Covington has lashed out at Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev as he prepares to make his return. Last weekend at UFC 285, Colby Covington made his presence known. In addition to serving as the back-up fighter for the main event, he also challenged Leon Edwards for the UFC welterweight title after his win over Kamaru Usman.
Islam Makhachev doesn’t think unhealthy Conor McGregor will end up fighting Michael Chandler: “He just can’t”
Susan Cox - March 14, 2023
Islam Makhachev doesn’t think unhealthy Conor McGregor will end up fighting Michael Chandler. TUF 31 debuts on May 30th on ESPN. It will feature Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler in the UFC produced reality television series. Following The Ultimate Fighter, Conor McGregor (22-6 MM) is slated to meet Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA) in the Octagon, with a date, time and place yet to be determined.
Dan Hooker expects the UFC will punish him for the accusations he made against Islam Makhachev
Lewis Simpson - March 7, 2023
Dan Hooker expects to be punished after his allegations towards lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. Last month in Perth, Australia, Makhachev made the first defence of his lightweight championship in front of a hostile crowd. After being pushed by featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovsk for five rounds, the Dagestani was made to work for the victory.
Dana White reveals plans for Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev following UFC 284 title fight
Fernando Quiles - February 26, 2023
UFC President Dana White wants to book Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2, but not right now. Volkanovski, the reigning UFC Featherweight Champion, challenged Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship in the main event of UFC 284 earlier this month. After five rounds of thrilling action, Makhachev was awarded the unanimous decision victory.
Dustin Poirier accepts Islam Makhachev's call for a new title challenger: "That's the plan"
Josh Evanoff - February 22, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier has answered Islam Makhachev’s call. The Russian returned to the octagon earlier this month in the main event of UFC 284. Standing opposite the newly crowned champion was fellow titleholder Alexander Volkanovski. Despite Makhachev entering the fight a massive favorite, ‘The Great’ held his own for five rounds.
Alexander Volkanovski responds after UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev asks who is next: “Give the people what they want!”
Susan Cox - February 22, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski is responding after UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev went on social media to ask “who is next”. It was almost 2 weeks ago, at UFC 284 where Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA) defeated Alexander Volkanovski (25-2 MMA) via unanimous decision in the lightweight main event at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. And in doing so the 31-year-old Makhachev retained the lightweight belt.
Islam Makhachev discloses his mothers demands that he retires from MMA following first lightweight title defense: "Wrap it up. Khabib listened to his mother"
Lewis Simpson - February 20, 2023
Islam Makhachev is at the top of the sport following the first defense of his lightweight title, but his mother would like him to call it a day. Makhachev cemented himself as the best lightweight on the planet after a commanding second-round submission over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 last October. At UFC 284 earlier this month, the 31-year-old did enough on the judges’ scorecards to earn a unanimous decision victory over featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in a closely contested battle.
Video | Alexander Volkanovski shares post-fight meeting with Islam Makhachev: “You deserve one in Abu Dhabi. My turn to get booed”
Harry Kettle - February 20, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski has shared footage of a post-UFC 284 interaction he had backstage with Islam Makhachev. At UFC 284, Alexander Volkanovski battled Islam Makhachev with the UFC lightweight championship on the line. It was a gruelling affair for both men and in the end, it was the star from Dagestan who managed to keep hold of the belt.