Islam Makhachev

Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev (;

Makhachev holds several UFC lightweight records, including the longest winning streak (14), the most title-fight victories (5), the most successful title defenses (4), and the highest significant-strike accuracy (59.5%).

Background An ethnic Lak, Makhachev's father grew tomatoes and worked as a driver; his mother was a housewife and ran a small café. He has an older brother named Kurbanismail. Starting at age seven, he began practicing taekwondo under decorated champion Seyfula Magomedov. Makhachev switched to sanda while attending school with Abubakar Nurmagomedov, where he also met Khabib Nurmagomedov, Shamil Zavurov, and their family. However, he gave up combat sports and played soccer for two years after his family moved to a different town.

Makhachev engaged in constant street fights as a child due to the culture of the region, where it is common for adults (such as his coach Magomedov) to pick boys to face each other or for the boys to confront each other. He trained in freestyle wrestling for a year but switched to mixed martial arts under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov after learning that Khabib was already a professional. Makhachev had been a UFC fan since childhood; his favorite fighters were Tank Abbott and Ken Shamrock. While training, he attended Dagestan State University to study physical education and sports. In order to support himself, Makhachev worked as a security guard. His boss allowed him to train during work hours and paid his salary while Makhachev was away for competitions and training camps.

In February 2014, Makhachev won the -74 kg division at the Russian National Combat Sambo Championship, qualifying for the world championship in Japan.

Mixed martial arts career

M-1 Global Makhachev made his M-1 Global debut against Tengiz Khuchua on 12 February 2011 and won the fight via KO in the first round.

In his second fight for the promotion, Makhachev faced Mansour Barnaoui, on 9 April 2013 at M-1 Challenge 38. He won via unanimous decision a (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).

Makhachev faced then-undefeated Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Rander Junio on 21 August 2013 at M-1 Challenge 41. He won via unanimous decision.

Makhachev faced M-1 Global Yuri Ivlev on 7 June 2014 at M-1 Challenge 49. Islam dominated the fight, he softened up Ivlev with punches before finishing the fight by submission via armbar.

On 7 September 2014, in his final bout for M-1 Global before signing with the UFC, Makhachev defeated Ivica Trušček via submission in the third round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On 2 October 2014, Makhachev signed a four-fight contract with the UFC. He submitted Leo Kuntz in the second round on 23 May 2015, at UFC 187.

Makhachev faced Adriano Martins on 3 October 2015 at UFC 192. He lost via knockout in the first round, marking his first and only professional loss to date.

Makhachev was expected to face Drew Dober on 16 April 2016, at UFC on Fox 19. After the weigh-ins, the UFC announced that the bout was cancelled after Makhachev failed an out-of-competition drug screening, testing positive for the banned anti-ischemic meldonium. USADA lifted Makhachev's suspension after a hearing on 2 July 2016 determined that the drug was prescribed in November 2015 to recover from a medical procedure to his heart.

On 17 September 2016, he faced with Chris Wade at UFC Fight Night 94. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Makhachev faced Nik Lentz on 11 February 2017, at UFC 208. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Makhachev was expected to face Michel Prazeres on 2 September 2017 at UFC Fight Night 115. However, Makhachev pulled out of the fight in the beginning of August citing a religious reason, and he was replaced by Mads Burnell.

Makhachev fought Gleison Tibau on 20 January 2018 at UFC 220. He won the fight by knockout in 57 seconds in the first round.

Makhachev faced Kajan Johnson on 28 July 2018 at UFC on Fox 30. Makhachev took Johnson down in the first round, where he worked to mount and secured the armbar, forcing Johnson to tap; giving Makhachev a submission victory.

Makhachev was expected to face Francisco Trinaldo on 26 January 2019 at UFC 233. However, it was reported on 11 November 2018 Makhachev was pulled out from the event due to undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Alexander Hernandez.

Makhachev faced Arman Tsarukyan on 20 April 2019 at UFC Fight Night 149. He won the fight via unanimous decision. This win earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Makhachev faced Davi Ramos on 7 September 2019 at UFC 242. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Makhachev was scheduled to face Alexander Hernandez on 18 April 2020 at UFC 249. However, Makhachev was removed from the card due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and he was replaced by Omar Morales.

Makhachev was expected to face Rafael dos Anjos on 24 October 2020 at UFC 254. However, on 8 October 2020 it was reported that dos Anjos tested positive for COVID-19 and he was removed from the bout. The pairing was left intact and rescheduled for 14 November 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos. However, on 8 November, it was reported that Makhachev was forced to pull from the event due to staph infection.

Makhachev faced Drew Dober on 6 March 2021 at UFC 259. He won the fight by an arm-triangle choke submission in the third round.

Makhachev faced Thiago Moisés on 17 July 2021 at UFC on ESPN 26. He won the fight by a rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round.

A bout with former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos was rescheduled and was expected to take place on 30 October 2021 at UFC 267. However, dos Anjos was forced to pulled from the event due to injury, and he was replaced by Dan Hooker. He won the fight by a kimura submission in the first round.

Makhachev was scheduled to face Beneil Dariush on 26 February 2022 at UFC Fight Night 202. However, on 12 February 2022 it was reported that Dariush withdrew from the event due to an ankle injury and he was replaced by Bobby Green. He won the bout via ground and pound TKO in the first round. After winning the fight, he also expressed his intentions to move up to welterweight and start his quest to become a two-division champion.

UFC Lightweight Champion Oliveira vs. Makhachev

Makhachev faced Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 280 on 22 October 2022. Makhachev won the bout and the title in the second round via arm-triangle choke after knocking down Oliveira with a punch. With this win, he received the Performance of the Night bonus.

In November 2022, Makhachev was awarded Order "For Merit to the Republic of Dagestan" for his achievement in martial arts.

Makhachev vs. Volkanovski

Makhachev defended his title against the UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski on 12 February 2023 at UFC 284. Makhachev won via a close unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. After his victory, Makhachev and his coach Muslim Amiraslanov were both awarded the Sali Suleiman medal, the Dagestan Ministry of Sports' highest award, named after a famous wrestler.

Makhachev vs. Volkanovski II

Makhachev was scheduled to make his second title defense in a rematch against Charles Oliveira on 21 October 2023, at UFC 294. However, Oliveira was forced off from the event due to injuries and he was replaced by Alexander Volkanovski. He subsequently won the rematch by head kick knockout in the first round. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Makhachev vs. Poirier

Makhachev faced former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 on 1 June 2024. He won by a brabo choke submission at 2:42 of the fifth round. This fight earned him both the Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night awards totaling $100,000.

Makhachev vs. Moicano

Makhachev made his next title defense against Renato Moicano on 18 January 2025 at UFC 311. 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 originally scheduled to face Beneil Dariush at the event. He won the fight via a brabo choke submission in the first round.

UFC Welterweight Champion Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev

In May 2025, it was announced that UFC 317 will be headlined for the vacant lightweight championship, hence Makhachev will move up to challenge for the UFC Welterweight Championship against current champion Jack Della Maddalena. On August 28, 2025, the bout was officially announced and took place on November 15, 2025 at UFC 322. Makhachev defeated Della Maddalena via unanimous decision to win the welterweight title.

Makhachev vs. Machado Garry

Makhachev made his first welterweight title defense against Ian Machado Garry on August 15 2026 at UFC 330. He won the fight via unanimous decision. With this win, Makhachev set the new record for the longest winning streak in UFC history (17). He frequently uses trips and body locks from the clinch, opting for efficiency over explosive takedowns.

On the ground, Makhachev prefers to wear opponents down with top pressure and gradual positional advances rather than immediate ground-and-pound. His submission game is particularly dangerous from the top, especially his arm-triangle choke, which he has used to finish several UFC opponents. Despite being known for his grappling, Makhachev has also developed a measured and increasingly effective striking game, often using feints and southpaw kicks to manage distance until he finds an opening for the clinch or takedown. His style blends control and patience, often forcing opponents into prolonged defensive positions where they struggle to mount offense.

Personal life As of January 2025, Makhachev is married and has three children: the oldest being a girl and two boys.

Championships and accomplishments

Republic of Dagestan Order "For Merit to the Republic of Dagestan" (2022) Order of Merit for achievements in physical culture and sports in the Republic of Dagestan (2025) UFC Lightweight Championship (One time, former) Four successful title defenses Most UFC lightweight title wins (5) Most consecutive UFC lightweight title defenses (4) Most total UFC lightweight title defenses (4) Performance of the Night (Three times) 2023: President's Choice Fight of the Year Winner & Fan's Choice Knockout of the Year Nominee 2024: Fan's Choice Submission of the Year Winner 2025: Fan's Choice Submission of the Year Winner Winner of the most Honors Awards in UFC history (4) UFC.com Awards 2021: Ranked #5 Fighter of the Year & Ranked #7 Submission of the Year 2022: Ranked #3 Fighter of the Year & Ranked #4 Submission of the Year 2023: Fighter of the Year, Fight of the Year vs. Alexander Volkanovski 1 & Ranked #4 Knockout of the Year vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 2024: Half-Year Awards: Best Fight of the 1HY, Ranked #3 Submission of the Year & Ranked #4 Fight of the Year 2025: Ranked #3 Fighter of the Year MMA Junkie 2021 March Submission of the Month vs. Drew Dober 2021 October Submission of the Month vs. Dan Hooker 2022 October Submission of the Month vs. Charles Oliveira 2022 Submission of the year vs. Charles Oliveira 2023 Fight of the Year Sherdog 2023 Fighter of the Year 2023 Fight of the Year World MMA Awards 2023 Fight of the Year vs. Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 Wrestling Observer Newsletter 2023 Most Outstanding Fighter of the Year ESPN 2023 Male Fighter of the Year 2023 Fight of the Year MMA Mania 2023 #2 Ranked Fighter of the Year 2024 #4 Ranked Fight of the Year 2024 #2 Ranked Submission of the Year 2025 #4 Ranked Fighter of the Year 2025 #2 Ranked Submission of the Year MMA Fighting 2025 Fighter of the Year 2025 Second Team MMA All-Star Fight Matrix 2022 Most Noteworthy Match of the Year 2023 Most Noteworthy Match of the Year Cageside Press 2023 Fight of the Year 2024 Submission of the Year theScore 2025 Male Fighter of the Year CBS Sports 2023 MMA Fighter of the Year 2023 MMA Fight of the Year Bleacher Report 2023 UFC Fight of the Year GiveMeSport 2023 UFC Fighter of the Year Sportsnaut 2023 UFC Fight of the Year Uncrowned 2025 #2 Ranked Male Fighter of the Year

Sambo Fédération Internationale Amateur de Sambo (FIAS) 2016 FIAS World Combat Sambo Championships Gold Medalist Combat Sambo Federation of Russia Russian National Gold Medalist (2014, 2016 at -74 kg)

Grappling UWW Russian Grappling Federation North Caucasian Federal District Gold Medalist

Mixed martial arts record Win

Ian Machado Garry Decision (unanimous) UFC 330

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Jack Della Maddalena Decision (unanimous) UFC 322

New York City, New York, United States Win

Renato Moicano Submission (brabo choke) UFC 311

Inglewood, California, United States Win

Dustin Poirier Submission (brabo choke) UFC 302

Newark, New Jersey, United States Win

Alexander Volkanovski KO (head kick and punches) UFC 294

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Alexander Volkanovski Decision (unanimous) UFC 284

Perth, Australia Win

Charles Oliveira Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 280

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Bobby Green TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dan Hooker Submission (kimura) UFC 267

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Thiago Moisés Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Drew Dober Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 259

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Davi Ramos Decision (unanimous) UFC 242

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Arman Tsarukyan Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Kajan Johnson Submission (armbar) UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2

Calgary, Alberta, Canada Win

Gleison Tibau KO (punch) UFC 220

Boston, Massachusetts, United States Win

Nik Lentz Decision (unanimous) UFC 208

Brooklyn, New York, United States Win

Chris Wade Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson

Hidalgo, Texas, United States Loss

Adriano Martins KO (punch) UFC 192

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Leo Kuntz Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 187

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ivica Trušček Submission (inverted triangle choke) M-1 Challenge 51

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Yuri Ivlev Submission (armbar) M-1 Challenge 49

Dzheyrakh, Russia Win

Rander Junio Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 41

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Mansour Barnaoui Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 38

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Anatoly Kormilkin Submission (inverted triangle choke) Lion's Fights 2

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Migel Grigoryan Submission (triangle choke) Siberian FC 1

Tomsk, Russia Win

Vladimir Egoyan Decision (split) ProFC 29

Rostov-on-Don, Russia Win

Magomed Ibragimov Submission (triangle choke) Tsumada FC 5

Agvali, Russia Win

Martiros Grigoryan TKO (punches) ProFC 28

Simferopol, Ukraine Win

Tengiz Khuchua KO (punch) M-1: Selection Ukraine 2010

Kyiv, Ukraine Win

Magomed Bekbolatov Decision (unanimous) Tsumada FC 4

Agvali, Russia Pay-per-view bouts