Islam Makhachev

Who Is Islam Makhachev?

Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev is a Russian mixed martial artist who became UFC Lightweight Champion and then a two-division UFC champion. As a combat sambo world champion and multiple-time Russian national champion, he has spent nearly a decade competing at or near the top of the UFC pound-for-pound rankings.

His story is not one of overnight success. It is one of iron discipline. It is one of relentless grappling. Most importantly, it is one of a fighter who never stopped improving — even after reaching the very top.

As of November 18, 2025, he is ranked number one in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings. Furthermore, Makhachev holds several UFC lightweight records, including the longest winning streak of 14, the most title-fight victories at 5, the most successful title defenses at 4, and the highest significant-strike accuracy at 59.5%.

He is, by every measurable standard, the most dominant fighter on the planet.

Early Life: Mountains, Discipline, and a Village That Made Him

Born in Makhachkala, Raised in Burshi

Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev was born on October 27, 1991, in Makhachkala, Dagestan. He spent most of his childhood in the small village of Burshi, growing up as an ethnic Lak. Life there was tough — filled with farming, physical labor, and strict discipline.

He grew up in the rural village of Burshi in Dagestan, a region renowned for producing world-class wrestlers and combat athletes. From a young age, he was exposed to the demanding environment of the North Caucasus, which played a significant role in shaping his resilience and fighting spirit.

A Humble Family Background

His father worked as a driver and tomato farmer, while his mother ran a small café. There was no privilege in his upbringing. There was no shortcut. Instead, there was hard work — the kind that builds champions from the ground up.

The community values of respect, hard work, and mutual support greatly influenced him through the guidance of his family and village elders.

The First Steps Into Martial Arts

Islam began martial arts at age seven, starting with taekwondo before switching to wrestling and sambo. When he first arrived in Burshi, people saw him as “weak,” but years of hard training transformed him completely.

The culture in Dagestan often involved young boys engaging in street fights, a common practice that helped instill a tough and competitive spirit in Makhachev from childhood. Because of this environment, toughness was not trained into him. It was simply expected.

Meeting Khabib Nurmagomedov

One friendship would change everything.

He met Khabib Nurmagomedov in his boyhood in Dagestan. The two lived close to each other and trained together under Khabib’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Khabib has mentioned in interviews that Makhachev has been competitive since his childhood. This is why the undefeated fighter felt that Makhachev had the potential to become world champion — over even his own brother Abubakar Nurmagomedov.

Education: Dagestan State University

For his higher education, he attended Dagestan State University, where he studied and earned a degree in Physical Education and Sports, deepening his theoretical understanding of athletic performance.

Before turning fully professional, he also worked as a security guard to support himself, with a boss who allowed him to train during work hours.

Amateur Combat Sports Career: The Making of a World Champion

Sambo Dominance

Like many boys in the region’s deep wrestling and grappling culture, he started combat sambo around the age of 10, eventually winning national, European, and world sambo honors.

A major turning point came when he trained under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of Khabib. Under him, Islam became a two-time Russian national champion and Combat Sambo World Champion in 2016.

Judo Black Belt

He holds a Black Belt in Judo and the rank of International Master of Sport in combat sambo. Therefore, his grappling arsenal was forged not in one discipline — but in several. This multi-layered foundation would later make him nearly impossible to fight.

Professional MMA Career: From Dagestan to the UFC

Early Pro Career (2010–2014)

He turned pro in 2010, building an 11–0 record before joining the UFC in 2014.

On August 1, 2010, he made his professional MMA debut at “Tsumada Fighting Championship 4” in Tsumadinsky, Russia, where he defeated Magomed Bekbolatov via unanimous decision.

UFC Debut and the Only Loss (2015)

Makhachev made his Octagon debut against Leo Kuntz on UFC 187 on October 3, 2015, and won by rear naked choke submission in the second round.

However, adversity arrived quickly. In his second UFC fight, Islam Makhachev moved forward with his hands down and was knocked out in the first round by Brazilian veteran Adriano Martins.

That single defeat became the greatest lesson of his career. He has openly talked about it: “Maybe, if I had not lost, I would not have become a champion.”

The Rebuild: Grinding Through the Ranks (2016–2021)

After the loss, Islam Makhachev did not panic. He rebuilt. He recalibrated. He returned stronger.

On September 17, 2016, he defeated Chris Wade via unanimous decision. On February 11, 2017, he defeated Nik Lentz via unanimous decision. On January 20, 2018, he knocked out Gleison Tibau. On July 28, 2018, he submitted Kajan Johnson.

On April 20, 2019, he defeated Arman Tsarukyan via unanimous decision in Saint Petersburg, Russia. On September 7, 2019, he defeated Davi Ramos via unanimous decision at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.

Each win was methodical. Each win was purposeful. Furthermore, each win was a statement of intent from a man who knew exactly where he was heading.

UFC Championship Era: Becoming the Best in the World

UFC 280 — Winning the Lightweight Title (October 2022)

The moment arrived on October 22, 2022, in Abu Dhabi.

In 2022, Makhachev won the undisputed UFC lightweight championship by submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. Fighting for the vacant Lightweight title, he dropped Charles Oliveira with a punch and finished him with an arm-triangle choke in the second round. What followed was a run of defences that made the case for him as the best fighter alive.

With the victory, Makhachev became the 12th undisputed UFC lightweight champion in UFC history.

UFC 284 — First Defense vs. Alexander Volkanovski (February 2023)

He edged featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski by razor-thin decision at UFC 284. It was the hardest fight of his title reign. But he passed the test. He proved he could win even when pushed to his absolute limits.

UFC 294 — Volkanovski Rematch (October 2023)

He then flattened Volkanovski with a head-kick knockout in the rematch. This performance silenced all doubters. It showed the world that Islam Makhachev had evolved far beyond his grappling roots. He was now a complete, dangerous fighter in every range.

UFC 302 — Defeating Dustin Poirier (June 2024)

He drowned Dustin Poirier with a fifth-round D’Arce choke at UFC 302. On June 1, 2024, he successfully defended his UFC Lightweight Championship by submitting Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey.

UFC 311 — Submitting Renato Moicano (January 2025)

He reset his whole game plan and submitted Moicano with a D’Arce choke in the first round anyway. On January 18, 2025, he successfully defended his UFC Lightweight Championship by submitting Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in Inglewood, California.

Makhachev vacated the UFC Lightweight title in May 2025. He did not lose it. He simply outgrew it.

Making History: UFC Welterweight Championship

UFC 322 — Capturing a Second Belt (November 2025)

At UFC 322 in November 2025, inside Madison Square Garden, he outpointed reigning Welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena across five rounds. Unanimous decision. A second divisional crown, and a place as the eleventh double champion in UFC history.

The win also tied him with Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak the promotion has ever produced — at sixteen. Silva built his over seven years and a legendary middleweight reign. Makhachev built his one methodical, unglamorous performance at a time.

He left the UFC lightweight division with the most title fight wins — five — and third in submission wins — eight.

UFC 330 — Next Fight: Ian Machado Garry (August 2026)

Makhachev’s first Welterweight defence is booked. He meets Irish contender Ian Machado Garry on August 15, 2026, at UFC 330 in Philadelphia.

A win extends the streak past Anderson Silva and into the UFC record books alone. The legacy continues to build — fight by fight, submission by submission.

Fighting Style: Why Islam Makhachev Is Nearly Unbeatable

Makhachev is one of the most complete grapplers in MMA, pairing a world-class sambo and wrestling base with smothering top control and a patient, high-percentage submission game. Thirteen of his 28 wins have come by submission. Elite takedown entries and chain wrestling let him dictate where fights happen.

His fight style blends sambo, judo — he holds a black belt — and wrestling. He is known especially for chain takedowns, top control, and effortless clinch trips.

Islam Makhachev trains almost identically to Khabib Nurmagomedov, following the Dagestani system built by the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. His routine focuses on mountain conditioning, daily wrestling and sambo drills, strict discipline, and a team-first culture. However, Islam also modernizes the system by using advanced sports science and recovery tools, making him a more refined version of the classic Dagestani fighting style.

Training Team: The Machine Behind the Champion

Islam Makhachev’s teams include the American Kickboxing Academy, Fight Spirit Team, Gadzhi Makhachev Freestyle Wrestling Club, Old School Fighters, KHK MMA, and Team Eagles MMA. His trainers are Javier Mendez and Khabib Nurmagomedov — with the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov as his foundational coach.

Now fighting out of Eagles MMA and the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose under head coach Javier Mendez, the 5’10” lightweight built his game on elite control and relentless pressure.

The Khabib Connection: Brotherhood and Mentorship

The bond between Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the most celebrated in MMA.

Islam Makhachev maintains close family ties, deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of Dagestan. He shares a strong bond with fellow Dagestani fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, whom he considers a brother and mentor.

Because Makhachev, along with Khabib Nurmagomedov, has not only put Dagestan on the map — they have also rejuvenated local gyms with new and improved equipment to help Dagestani fighters reach their potential.

This is bigger than sports. It is a legacy of an entire region — and two athletes who carried its name to the highest heights in combat sports.

Personal Life: Private, Devout, and Grounded

Away from the cage, he keeps his life tightly private. He is a devout Muslim who married in 2021 in a traditional Dagestani ceremony and has never put his family in front of a camera.

His off-season looks less like a celebrity’s and more like a wrestler’s. In early 2026, he turned up at a “Wrestball” event back home in Dagestan — still grappling, still competing, even with two belts in the trophy cabinet.

Outside the octagon, Makhachev values humility and family. He maintains close bonds with coaches and training partners. His journey from Dagestan’s rugged terrain to UFC stardom inspires young fighters worldwide.

Complete UFC Fight Record

Date	Event	Opponent	Method	Result
May 23, 2015	UFC 187	Leo Kuntz	RNC Submission (R2)	Win
Oct 3, 2015	UFC 192	Adriano Martins	KO (R1)	Loss
Sep 17, 2016	UFC Fight Night 94	Chris Wade	Decision	Win
Feb 11, 2017	UFC 208	Nik Lentz	Decision	Win
Jan 20, 2018	UFC 220	Gleison Tibau	KO	Win
Jul 28, 2018	UFC on Fox 30	Kajan Johnson	Submission	Win
Apr 20, 2019	UFC Fight Night 149	Arman Tsarukyan	Decision	Win
Sep 7, 2019	UFC 242	Davi Ramos	Decision	Win
Oct 24, 2020	UFC Fight Night	Rafael Fiziev	Decision	Win
Mar 20, 2021	UFC Fight Night	Drew Dober	RNC Submission	Win
Jun 26, 2021	UFC 262	Thiago Moises	RNC Submission (R4)	Win
Oct 9, 2021	UFC Fight Night	Dan Hooker	Arm-Triangle Choke (R1)	Win
Feb 26, 2022	UFC 271	Bobby Green	Arm-Triangle Choke (R1)	Win
May 7, 2022	UFC Fight Night	Joel Alvarez	Armbar (R2)	Win
Oct 22, 2022	UFC 280	Charles Oliveira	Arm-Triangle Choke — Title Win	Win 🏆
Feb 12, 2023	UFC 284	Alexander Volkanovski	Decision	Win
Oct 21, 2023	UFC 294	Alexander Volkanovski 2	Head-Kick KO (R1)	Win
Jun 1, 2024	UFC 302	Dustin Poirier	D’Arce Choke (R5)	Win
Jan 18, 2025	UFC 311	Renato Moicano	D’Arce Choke (R1)	Win
Nov 15, 2025	UFC 322	Jack Della Maddalena	Decision — WW Title Win	Win 🏆
Aug 15, 2026	UFC 330	Ian Machado Garry	Upcoming — WW Title Defense	TBD