Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev, born on October 27, 1991, in Makhachkala, Dagestan, embarked on a competitive martial arts journey from a young age. He initially trained in taekwondo and sanda before transitioning to freestyle wrestling and eventually mixed martial arts under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. His early career saw him achieve significant success in combat sambo, securing national championships in Russia in 2014 and 2016, and ultimately winning a gold medal at the 2016 World Combat Sambo Championship in the -74 kg division. These foundational years forged a disciplined and technically proficient fighter, known for his grappling dominance.

Makhachev’s professional MMA career began in 2010, and he quickly established a strong record in organizations like M-1 Global before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2014. His UFC debut was in May 2015 at UFC 187, where he secured a submission victory. Despite an early career setback, he built a notable winning streak, showcasing his wrestling and Sambo background to control opponents. A significant turning point came with his championship pursuits in the lightweight division.

In October 2022, Makhachev captured the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 280, defeating Charles Oliveira via submission. He successfully defended this title four times, establishing a record for consecutive lightweight title defenses. His defenses included victories over Alexander Volkanovski twice, Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano. With a remarkable professional MMA record of 27 wins and only 1 loss, Makhachev has consistently ranked among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC. In November 2025, he is slated to move up to welterweight to challenge for the UFC Welterweight Championship, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.