Islam Makhachev News
Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier believe now is the time for UFC champion Islam Makhachev to do a heel turn: “I think that’s the move”
Harry Kettle - September 25, 2024
Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier believe now is the time for Islam Makhachev to take on a more villainous persona. Islam Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion and he has earned that title. He defeated Charles Oliveira to capture the strap before going on to defend it against the likes of Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier.
Islam Makhachev laughs off the possibility of Conor McGregor returning to the UFC: "It's already a fantasy"
Josh Evanoff - September 17, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev believes Conor McGregor won’t fight again. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of the cage for over three years now. Conor McGregor last appeared in the octagon in July 2021, suffering a broken leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. Since then, the Irishman has repeatedly called for a return to the cage. Luckily, he was finally booked for his comeback earlier this summer.
Dana White confirms the UFC won't make an interim lightweight title despite Islam Makhachev's injury: "We have plans"
Josh Evanoff - September 10, 2024
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that there will be no interim titles in Islam Makhachev’s absence. The current UFC lightweight champion hasn’t been seen in the cage since June. In the main event of UFC 302, Islam Makhachev faced longtime contender, Dustin Poirier. Despite entering the bout a massive favorite, ‘The Diamond’ made the dominant champion work. However, Makhachev still emerged with a fifth-round submission victory.
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Islam Makhachev 2 will reportedly take place “early next year”
Harry Kettle - September 9, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan vs Islam Makhachev 2 is reportedly set to take place early next year for the UFC world title. Right now, Islam Makhachev is considered by many to be the pound for pound best fighter in the UFC. While you may or may not agree with that assessment, there’s no way of denying what he’s been able to achieve as UFC lightweight champion.
Sean O'Malley picks Islam Makhachev over Jon Jones in UFC's P4P debate
Curtis Calhoun - August 26, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is the latest high-profile fighter to part with Dana White’s stance on the UFC’s pound-for-pound discussion. UFC titleholders Islam Makhachev and Jon Jones are two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the promotion at present. Makhachev as of this writing holds the top spot, with the heavyweight champion Jones at No. 3 behind Alex Pereira.
Arman Tsarukyan reveals Islam Makhachev rematch is in the works for UFC 310 in December
Josh Evanoff - August 26, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan has revealed that he could face Islam Makhachev at UFC 310 in December. The rising lightweight contender has been out of the cage since a bout with Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April. That night, Arman Tsarukyan faced the former champion in the biggest test of his career to date. Despite some struggles, the Armenian scored a split-decision victory over ‘Do Bronx’, in the process, earning a rematch with Islam Makhachev.
Bo Nickal laughs off idea that Islam Makhachev would be D1 NCAA wrestling champion
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
UFC prospect Bo Nickal has laughed off the idea that Islam Makhachev would be a D1 NCAA wrestling champion. As we know, Islam Makhachev is one of the scariest guys in all of mixed martial arts. In addition to his wrestling prowess, he’s also added some solid striking and great submission work to his game in recent years. In addition to that, he’s the reigning UFC lightweight champion – and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Mateusz Gamrot claims he'd outwrestle Islam Makhachev in potential UFC title fight
Curtis Calhoun - August 13, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot thinks Islam Makhachev would be no match for him when it comes to wrestling. Gamrot will face Dan Hooker at UFC 305 this Saturday in Perth, Australia. He returns to the Octagon after defeating former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 299 in March.
Paddy Pimblett issues warning to current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev: “You know Islam, we’re coming”
Susan Cox - August 12, 2024
Paddy Pimblett has issued a warning to current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Pimblett (22-3 MMA) is hot off a submission victory over Bobby Green (32-16 MMA) this past month at UFC 304 in Manchester, England.
Daniel Cormier shoots down an interim LW title fight amidst Islam Makhachev's hiatus: "Speaking titles into existence?"
Curtis Calhoun - August 8, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier scoffed at Arman Tsarukyan’s idea for an interim title fight as Islam Makhachev recovers from injury. Makhachev is sidelined with a hand injury he suffered during his UFC 302 title fight with Dustin Poirier earlier this year. He was originally anticipated to headline UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, but due to his injury, he won’t be fully recovered in time for the event.
Dricus Du Plessis warns Islam Makhachev of pursuing middleweight title: "He's dreaming real big"
Cole Shelton - August 8, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis has warned Islam Makhachev of pursuing the middleweight title. Makhachev previously shared his intentions of becoming a champ-champ, but after Belal Muhammad became the welterweight champ, those plans seemingly went out the window. However, Islam’s coach Javier Mendez recently came out and expressed interest in Makhachev moving all the way up to middleweight to try and win that title.
Islam Makhachev's coach teases possibility of going for middleweight title to become champ-champ
Cole Shelton - August 7, 2024
Javier Mendez, the coach of Islam Makhachev believes his fighter could have a unique path to becoming a champ-champ. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion, but he is good friends with the welterweight champ Belal Muhammad, as the two have also trained with one another in the past. With that, Makhachev has said he won’t fight Muhammad, but instead, Mendez thinks Makhachev is good enough to jump all the way to middleweight and win that belt.
Islam Makhachev interested in Max Holloway fight if 'Blessed' can get past Ilia Topuria: "Crazy fight for the fans"
Josh Evanoff - August 2, 2024
If Max Holloway can get through Ilia Topuria, he could have a shot at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The Russian has been out of the cage since a fifth-round submission victory over Dustin Poirier in June. That win at UFC 302 was Islam Makhachev’s second title defense, and he already began to eye a move to welterweight. However, with Belal Muhammad’s victory over Leon Edwards over the weekend, those plans were dashed.
Islam Makhachev admits Belal Muhammad “Broke his plans” for UFC double champ run
Curtis Calhoun - August 2, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev plans to change course after Belal Muhammad’s welterweight title victory. Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards by unanimous decision to capture the UFC welterweight title last Saturday in Manchester. After a long road to the welterweight title shot, Muhammad made the most of his opportunity and put on a largely dominant performance to dethrone Edwards.
Islam Makhachev says UFC 308 return is in question due to hand injury: “I might even have to have surgery”
Harry Kettle - July 29, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has said his UFC 308 return is in doubt due to a hand injury. For quite some time now, Islam Makhachev has been the king of the lightweight division. In recent times, he’s been able to dispatch Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier. Now, many are wondering what’s next for him – especially with there being no clear number one contender who is available to fight.
Leon Edwards would prefer fighting for middleweight title over Islam Makhachev bout
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2024
Leon Edwards says he’d prefer fighting for the middleweight title as opposed to squaring off with Islam Makhachev. Makhachev has recently expressed interest in moving up to welterweight to challenge Edwards for the welterweight title to try and become a champ-champ. However, if Edwards gets past Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 304, he says he’d rather move up to middleweight to try and become a champ-champ.
Charles Oliveira makes sense for next UFC lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev, says coach
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 7, 2024
Charles Oliveira’s coach believes there is a good case to make for “do Bronx” receiving the next UFC Lightweight Championship opportunity against Islam Makhachev. Oliveira is coming off a split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 back in April. Tsarukyan is currently serving a suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for a fan altercation.
Dustin Poirier challenges Islam Makhachev to a rematch, responds to “bumskie” Conor McGregor
Susan Cox - July 1, 2024
Dustin Poirier is challenging Islam Makhachev to a rematch and in the process is responding to ‘bumskie’ Conor McGregor. ‘The Diamond’ (30-9 MMA) fought Makhachev (26-1 MMA) in a lightweight bout a month ago today at UFC 302. The result was a submission victory for the Makhachev, the lightweight champion, at 2:42 of Round 5.