Zach Makovsky

Mixed martial arts career Makovsky began his mixed martial arts career in small shows based in New Jersey. He compiled a 3–0 record with two via unanimous decision and one via split decision.

EliteXC Makovsky then joined EliteXC and made his promotional debut at ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series in January 2008. His opponent was two-time Bellator Featherweight Tournament participant Wilson Reis. Early in the second round, Reis defeated Makovsky via submission using an arm-triangle choke.

Makovsky returned in May 2008, at EliteXC: Primetime to face André Soares. After three rounds, Makovsky was declared the winner via unanimous decision.

EliteXC then dissolved and Makovsky fought two bouts in New Jersey, winning both via rear-naked choke submission.

Makovsky then fought his first fight abroad, in Tokyo, Japan, against Toshiaki Kitada. Makovsky was submitted with a rear-naked choke submission late in the first round.

In his final pre-Bellator fight, Makovsky was part of the M-1 Selection in the Americas. He defeated Josh Rave via technical submission (guillotine choke) after controlling the bout with effective takedowns and wrestling.

Bellator Fighting Championships Makovsky debuted for the Bellator promotion at Bellator 21 against Eric Luke. Late in the second round, Makovsky forced Luke to tap out to a kimura. As a result of that victory, Makovsky was signed to take part in the Bellator Season Three Bantamweight Tournament.

At Bellator 27, Makovsky defeated Nick Mamalis via unanimous decision. The win moved Makovsky into the semi-final round, in which he faced Bryan Goldsby. Makovsky used his wrestling and jiu-jitsu to frustrate Goldsby and claimed a unanimous decision victory.

In the tournament final, Makovsky faced Ed West. Makovsky also fell to a kimura early in the matchup and a knee that knocked him down in the opening seconds. However, Makovsky came back and controlled the fight to take a unanimous decision and become the inaugural Bellator Bantamweight Champion.

Makovsky next faced undefeated Chad Robichaux at Bellator 41 in a non-title fight. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Makovsky fought in his second non-title fight at Bellator 54. He faced one-time UFC competitor Ryan Roberts and won via submission in the first round.

Makovsky attempted to make his first title defense against Season 5 bantamweight tournament winner Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 65 in Atlantic City on April 13, 2012. He lost via second round technical submission due to an arm triangle choke.

Makovsky attempted to get back into the win column when he took on Anthony Leone, but lost the fight by controversial split decision. After two consecutive losses, Makovsky was released from the promotion.

Cage Fury On May 11, 2013, Makovsky made his flyweight debut for Cage Fury Fighting Championships. Makovsky defeated fellow Bellator veteran Claudio Ledesma via unanimous decision.

Resurrection Fighting Alliance On November 22, 2013, Makovsky made his debut for RFA against Matt Manzanares for the vacant Flyweight Championship. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship On December 4, 2013, it was announced that Makovsky had signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, stepping in to replace an injured John Dodson against Scott Jorgensen at UFC on Fox 9. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

For his second UFC fight, Makovsky made a quick return to the Octagon as he faced Josh Sampo at UFC 170 on February 22, 2014. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Makovsky was expected to face Jussier Formiga on August 2, 2014, at UFC 176. However, after UFC 176 was cancelled, Formiga/Makovsky was rescheduled and eventually took place on August 16, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 47. Makovsky lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Makovsky faced Tim Elliott on February 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 60. Makovsky won the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.

Makovsky faced John Dodson on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187. Makovsky lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Makovsky faced Joseph Benavidez on February 6, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 82. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Makovsky was expected to face John Moraga on December 10, 2016, at UFC 206. However, Moraga pulled out of the fight in early November citing injury and was replaced by Dustin Ortiz. He lost the fight via split decision.

Absolute Championship Berkut

Makovsky faced Josiel Silva at ACB 60 on 13 May 2017. He won via submission in the third round.

Makovsky faced Yoni Sherbatov at ACB 72 on October 14, 2017. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Brave Combat Federation Makovsky debuted for the promotion at Brave CF 34. His opponent was 2016 sambo world champion, Russian fighter Velimurad Alkhasov. Makovsky won the contest via split decision.

Makovsky was expected to face Abdul Hussein in the opening round of the Brave Flyweight Championship tournament. However, Hussein was forced to withdraw from the bout due to sickness during the weight cut. Makovsky advanced to the semifinals of the tournament.

Makovsky rematched Velimurad Alkhasov in the semi-final of the Brave Flyweight Championship tournament on April 1, 2021, at Brave CF 50. In a very close bout, Makovsky lost via split decision.

Makovsky would then go on to face future UFC fighter Asu Almabayev on July 30, 2022, at Brave CF 60, losing for the third time in a row via split decision.

Makovsky faced Falvio de Queiroz on August 12, 2023, at Brave CF 73, losing the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round.

Championships Bellator Fighting Championships Bellator Bantamweight World Championship (One time, First) Bellator Season 3 Bantamweight Tournament Winner Resurrection Fighting Alliance RFA Flyweight Championship (One time, Current) Combat in the Cage CITC Bantamweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Flavio de Queiroz TKO (punches) Brave CF 73

Bogotá, Colombia Loss

Asu Almabayev Decision (split) Brave CF 60

Isa Town, Bahrain Loss

Velimurad Alkhasov Decision (split) Brave CF 50

Arad, Bahrain Win

Velimurad Alkhasov Decision (split) Brave CF 34

Ljubljana, Slovenia Loss

Yoni Sherbatov Decision (unanimous) ACB 72

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Josiel Silva Submission (guillotine choke) ACB 60

Vienna, Austria Loss

Dustin Ortiz Decision (split) UFC 206

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Loss

Joseph Benavidez Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

John Dodson Decision (unanimous) UFC 187

Las Vegas, Nevada United States Win

Tim Elliott Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Loss

Jussier Formiga Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. St. Preux

Bangor, Maine, United States Win

Josh Sampo Decision (unanimous) UFC 170

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Scott Jorgensen Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Matt Manzanares Decision (unanimous) RFA 11

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Claudio Ledesma Decision (unanimous) CFFC 24

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Anthony Leone Decision (split) Bellator 83

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Eduardo Dantas Submission (arm-triangle choke) Bellator 65

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Ryan Roberts Submission (north-south choke) Bellator 54

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Chad Robichaux TKO (punches) Bellator 41

Yuma, Arizona, United States Win

Ed West Decision (unanimous) Bellator 32

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Bryan Goldsby Decision (unanimous) Bellator 30

Louisville, Kentucky, United States Win

Nick Mamalis Decision (unanimous) Bellator 27

San Antonio, Texas, United States Win

Eric Luke Submission (kimura) Bellator 21

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Josh Rave Submission (guillotine choke) M-1 Selection 2010: The Americas Round 1

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

David Harris Submission (triangle choke) Adrenaline: New Breed

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Toshiaki Kitada Submission (rear-naked choke) Deep: 43 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Nate Williams Submission (rear-naked choke) WCA: Caged Combat

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Justin Robbins Submission (rear-naked choke) Extreme Challenge: The War at the Shore

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

André Soares Decision (unanimous) EliteXC: Primetime

Newark, New Jersey, United States Loss

Wilson Reis Submission (arm-triangle choke) ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Emerson Souza Decision (unanimous) CITC: Fearless Fighters Return

Trenton, New Jersey, United States Win

Leandro Escobar Decision (split) Extreme Challenge 75

Trenton, New Jersey, United States Win

Tinh Tupy Decision (unanimous) CITC: Evolutions

Asbury Park, New Jersey, United States