Islam Makhachev

An ethnic Lak, Makhachev was raised in the isolated village of Burshi, which was formerly a part of the Dagestan ASSR of the Soviet Union but is now a part of the Republic of Dagestan of Russia. Burshi was where Makhachev trained and participated in combat sambo. Makhachev was born in Makhachkala. He received a gold medal in the 2016 World Combat Sambo Championship. Valentin Benishev of Bulgaria lost against him in the championship match, which he won 7-0. On February 12, 2023, in the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, Islam Makhachev will square off against Alexander Volkanovski, the top male pound-for-pound contender in the UFC.

Islam Makhachev began his training in combat sports in his hometown of Burshi, Dagestan, where he was coached by Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov in Combat Sambo. In addition to winning four times as the Russian National Champion, Makhachev also won the World Combat Sambo Federation World Championship and the gold medal in the 2016 FIAS World Combat Sambo Championship.

While still competing in Sambo in 2010, Makhachaev began his MMA career. He made his professional debut at Tsumada Fighting Championship 4, defeating Magomed Bekbolatov by unanimous decision.

He later joined M-1 and made his debut there in the 2010 M-1 Selection Ukraine Finals against Tengiz Khuchua. Tengiz was knocked out by Islam in the second round, and he capitalized on this victory by winning his following nine fights in the Russian MMA scene, including four victories in M-1. Makhachev joined the UFC in 2014 after leaving M-1.

At UFC 187, Islam faced off against Leo Kuntz and won through rear-naked choke submission in the second round. He then fought Adriano Martins at UC 192, where Martins defeated him by first-round KO to hand him his first professional MMA loss (punch). He gained momentum by prevailing by unanimous decision over Chris Wade and Nik Lentz.

Before receiving the main-event headlining battle against Thiago Moises at UFC on ESPN, Makhachev won his following four UFC fights. Makhachev overpowered Thiago Moises on the ground and won via rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round.

Islam beat Dan Hooker at UFC 267 by kimura submission to extend his winning run to nine matches. He also defeated Bobby Green thereafter. Being given the opportunity to compete for the UFC Lightweight Championship he faced “Do Bronx”. Charles Oliveira was no match for him, and with the victory, he was crowned the UFC Lightweight Champion and his winning streak reached 11.