Mixed martial artist and current number 4 in the UFC lightweight rankings, Islam Makhachev is a Russian fighter and former sambo champion.
Before he moved into the world of mixed martial arts, Makhachev trained in the Russian martial art of sambo in the Republic of Dagestan. In 2016 he won the gold medal at the World Combat Sambo Championship, having already established himself as a successful MMA fighter too. He made his mixed martial arts debut in 2011 as part of the M-1 Global promotion, winning all five of his fights over his four year tenure with the organisation. In 2014, Makhachev was snapped up by the Ultimate Fighting Championship and has competed as part of the promotion ever since. He has become well known as a dominant force and a fierce fighter in the ring, only losing one bout in his entire professional career. He has also been awarded Fight of the Night for his 2019 win over Arman Tsarukyan and has been honoured with Submission of the Month twice by mixed martial arts publication MMAjunkie.com.
Makhachev has now enjoyed over ten years as a professional fighter, and during that time has emerged as one of the strongest talents in the ring today. Most recently he was ranked as number 4 in the UFC lightweight rankings, and he looks set to continue his nine fight winning streak.