1. Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev is a Russian professional mixed martial artist and former sambo competitor.
48 Facts About Islam Makhachev
1. 2.
Islam Makhachev currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he is the current UFC Lightweight Champion.
3.
An ethnic Lak, Makhachev was born in Makhachkala and grew up in the remote village of Burshi.
4.
Islam Makhachev's father grew tomatoes and worked as a driver; his mother was a housewife and ran a small cafe.
5.
Islam Makhachev switched to sanda while attending school with Abubakar Nurmagomedov, where he met Khabib Nurmagomedov, Shamil Zavurov, and their family.
6.
Islam Makhachev engaged in constant street fights as a child due to the culture of the region, where it is common for adults to pick boys to face each other or for the boys to confront each other.
7.
Islam Makhachev trained in freestyle wrestling for a year but switched to mixed martial arts under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov after learning that Khabib was already a professional.
8.
Islam Makhachev had been a UFC fan since childhood; his favorite fighters were Tank Abbott and Ken Shamrock.
9.
Islam Makhachev's boss allowed him to train during work hours and paid his salary while Makhachev was away for competitions and training camps.
10.
Islam Makhachev was unable to compete at the 2014 world championships due to the discovery of a heart condition that required treatment.
11.
Islam Makhachev then won gold at the 2016 World Combat Sambo Championship.
12.
Islam Makhachev made his M-1 Global debut against Tengiz Khuchua on 12 February 2011 and won the fight via KO in the first round.
13.
Islam Makhachev dominated the fight, he softened up Ivlev with punches before finishing the fight by submission via armbar.
14.
On 7 September 2014, in his final bout for M-1 Global before signing with the UFC, Islam Makhachev defeated Ivica Truscek via submission in the third round.
15.
On 2 October 2014, Islam Makhachev signed a four-fight contract with the UFC.
16.
Islam Makhachev submitted Leo Kuntz in the second round on 23 May 2015, at UFC 187.
17.
Islam Makhachev faced Adriano Martins on 3 October 2015 at UFC 192.
18.
Islam Makhachev lost via knockout in the first round, marking his first and only professional loss to date.
19.
Islam Makhachev was expected to face Drew Dober on 16 April 2016, at UFC on Fox 19.
20.
Islam Makhachev faced Nik Lentz on 11 February 2017, at UFC 208.
21.
Islam Makhachev was expected to face Michel Prazeres on 2 September 2017 at UFC Fight Night 115.
22.
Islam Makhachev fought Gleison Tibau on 20 January 2018 at UFC 220.
23.
Islam Makhachev faced Kajan Johnson on 28 July 2018 at UFC on Fox 30.
24.
Islam Makhachev took Johnson down in the first round, where he worked to mount and secured the armbar, forcing Johnson to tap; giving Islam Makhachev a submission victory.
25.
Islam Makhachev was expected to face Francisco Trinaldo on 26 January 2019 at UFC 233.
26.
However, it was reported on 11 November 2018 Islam Makhachev was pulled out from the event due to undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Alexander Hernandez.
27.
Islam Makhachev faced Arman Tsarukyan on 20 April 2019 at UFC Fight Night 149.
28.
Islam Makhachev faced Davi Ramos on 7 September 2019 at UFC 242.
29.
Islam Makhachev was scheduled to face Alexander Hernandez on 18 April 2020 at UFC 249.
30.
Islam Makhachev was expected to face Rafael dos Anjos on 24 October 2020 at UFC 254.
31.
Islam Makhachev faced Drew Dober on 6 March 2021 at UFC 259.
32.
Islam Makhachev won the fight by an arm-triangle choke submission in the third round.
33.
Islam Makhachev faced Thiago Moises on 17 July 2021 at UFC on ESPN 26.
34.
Islam Makhachev won the fight by a rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round.
35.
Islam Makhachev won the fight by a kimura submission in the first round.
36.
Islam Makhachev was scheduled to face Beneil Dariush on 26 February 2022 at UFC Fight Night 202.
37.
Islam Makhachev won the bout via ground and pound TKO in the first round.
38.
Islam Makhachev faced Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 280 on 22 October 2022.
39.
Islam Makhachev won the bout and the title in the second round via arm-triangle choke after knocking down Oliveira with a punch.
40.
In November 2022, Islam Makhachev was awarded Order "For Merit to the Republic of Dagestan" for his achievement in martial arts.
41.
Islam Makhachev defended his title against the UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski on 12 February 2023 at UFC 284.
42.
Islam Makhachev was scheduled to make his second title defense in a rematch against Charles Oliveira on 21 October 2023, at UFC 294.
43.
Islam Makhachev won the fight by head kick knockout in the first round.
44.
Islam Makhachev faced former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 on 1 June 2024.
45.
Islam Makhachev won by a D'Arce choke submission at 2:42 of the fifth round.
46.
Islam Makhachev made his next title defense against Renato Moicano on 18 January 2025 at UFC 311.
47.
Islam Makhachev was originally slated to defend the belt in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan, but one day before the event, a back injury suffered by Tsarukyan forced him to withdraw from the bout; Moicano was scheduled to face Beneil Dariush at the event.
48.
Islam Makhachev won the fight via a brabo choke submission in the first round.