Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, hails from the village of Brushi in Dagestan, Russia, where he was born on October 27, 1991. His journey in combat sports began with a victory at the World Sambo Championship, showcasing his talent at a young age in the martial arts discipline. Transitioning to professional MMA, Makhachev debuted in 2010 and embarked on an impressive 12-fight winning streak before facing his sole defeat against Adriano Martins at UFC 192.
Currently holding a record of 26 wins and 1 loss (26-1-0), Makhachev is the #1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. His latest win took place at UFC 302, where he defended his lightweight title in a highly anticipated fight against Dustin Poirier. The event, held on June 1, 2024, at the Prudential Arena in Newark, New Jersey witnessed Makhachev's dominant performance culminating in a fifth-round submission win.
Islam Makhachev Belt
So far in his MMA career, Islam Makhchev has only held the UFC undisputed lightweight title (155 lbs). However, Makhachev has voiced his intention to step up to the welterweight division (170 lbs) in the near future and compete for a second championship title.
Also Read: Islam Makhachev Next Fight
Who did Islam Makhachev beat for the belt?
Islam Makhachev secured the vacant UFC lightweight belt after defeating Charles Oliveira. Their clash took place at UFC 280 on October 22, 2022, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In a thrilling encounter, Makhachev showcased his superior skills with both striking and grappling, ultimately securing the win in the second round with a submission via arm-triangle choke at 3 minutes and 16 seconds.
This victory marked the Dagestani native’s 11th consecutive win, solidifying his spot as the top dog in the lightweight division. With the win, Makhachev honored his mentor Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov and was celebrated by his close friend and teammate, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
FAQs Islam Makhachev Belts
A. Islam Makhachev currently holds the UFC lightweight title.
A. Islam Makhachev has defended the lightweight title three times, twice against Alexander Volkanovski, and once against Dustin Poirier.
A. Islam Makhachev is 33 years old.
A. Islam Makhachev's next bout is against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311.
A. Makhachev vs. Oliveira 2 was originally planned to take place on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294. However, Alexander Volkanvski replaced Oliveira on short notice due to a deep cut near the right eye that ‘Do Bronx’ sustained during training.
