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Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev

UFC lightweight fighter and former Sambo competitor.

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Contents

Is a
Person
Person

Person attributes

Birthdate
September 27, 1991
Birthplace
Makhachkala
Makhachkala
Nationality
Russia
Russia
0
Location
Makhachkala
Makhachkala
Also Known As
Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev
Occupation
Freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling
Sambo (sport)
Sambo (sport)

Other attributes

CEO
Dana White
Dana White
Citizenship
Russia
Russia
Known for
is a Russian professional mixed martial artist and former Sambo competitor who currently competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Islam Makhachev (born 27 September 1991) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist and former Sambo competitor who currently competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Makhachev was the combat sambo world champion at 74 kilograms in 2016. As of November 2, 2021, he is #4 in the UFC lightweight rankings.

Early life

An ethnic Lak, Makhachev was born in Makhachkala and grew up in the remote village of Burshi (then part of Dagestan ASSR, Soviet Union, now part of the Republic of Dagestan, Russia), where he trained and competed in combat sambo. Islam is a Muslim.He grew up with Khabib Nurmagomedov and still trains with him to this day.

In the 2016 World Combat Sambo Championship, he won a gold medal, in the final match he won 7–0 over Valentin Benishev of Bulgaria.

Mixed martial arts career

M-1 Global

Makhachev made his M-1 Global debut against Tengiz Khuchua on February 12, 2011 and won the fight via KO in the first round.

In his second fight for the promotion, Makhachev faced Mansour Barnaoui, on April 9, 2013 at M-1 Challenge 38. He won via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27,30–27).

Makhachev faced undefeated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt[15] Rander Junio on August 21, 2013 at M-1 Challenge 41. He won via unanimous decision.

Makhachev faced M-1 Global Yuri Ivlev on June 7, 2014 at M-1 Challenge 49. Islam dominated the fight, he softened up Ivlev with punches before finishing the fight by submission via armbar.

On September 7, 2014, in his final bout for M-1 Global before signing with the UFC, Makhachev defeated Ivica Truscek via submission in the third round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 2, 2014, Makhachev signed a four-fight contract with the UFC. He submitted Leo Kuntz in the second round on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187. He then faced Adriano Martins on October 3, 2015 at UFC 192. He lost via knockout in the first round, marking his first professional loss.

Makhachev was expected to face Drew Dober on April 16, 2016, at UFC on Fox 19. After the weigh ins, the UFC announced that Makhachev had failed an out-of-competition drug screening, testing positive for the banned anti-ischemic meldonium. The match was cancelled. USADA lifted the suspension of Makhachev after a hearing on July 2, 2016.

On September 17, 2016, he faced with Chris Wade at UFC Fight Night 94. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Makhachev faced Nik Lentz on February 11, 2017, at UFC 208. He won the fight by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–25, 30–25). Makhachev was expected to face Michel Prazeres on September 2, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 115. However, Makhachev pulled out of the fight in the beginning of August citing a religious reason, and he was replaced by Mads Burnell.

Makhachev fought Gleison Tibau on January 20, 2018 at UFC 220. He won the fight by knockout in 57 seconds in the first round.

Makhachev faced Kajan Johnson on July 28, 2018 at UFC on Fox 30. Makhachev took Johnson down in the first round, where he worked to mount and secured the armbar, forcing Johnson to tap; giving Makhachev a submission victory.

Makhachev was expected to face Francisco Trinaldo on January 26, 2019 at UFC 233. However, it was reported on November 11, 2018 Makhachev was pulled out from the event due to undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Alexander Hernandez.

Makhachev faced Arman Tsarukyan on April 20, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 7. He won the fight via unanimous decision. This win earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Makhachev faced Davi Ramos on September 7, 2019 at UFC 242. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Makhachev was scheduled to face Alexander Hernandez on April 18, 2020 at UFC 249. However, Makhachev was removed from the card due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and he was replaced by Omar Morales.

Makhachev was expected to face Rafael dos Anjos on October 24, 2020 at UFC 254. However, on October 8, 2020 it was reported that dos Anjos tested positive for COVID-19 and he was removed from the bout. The pairing was left intact and rescheduled for November 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos. However, on November 8, it was reported that Makhachev was forced to pull from the event due to staph infection.

Makhachev faced Drew Dober on March 6, 2021 at UFC 259. He won the fight by an arm-triangle choke submission in the third round.

Makhachev faced Thiago Moisés on July 17, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 26. He won the fight by a rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round.

A bout with former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos was rescheduled and was expected to take place on October 30, 2021 at UFC 267. However, dos Anjos was forced to pulled from the event due to injury, and he was replaced by Dan Hooker. He won the fight by a kimura submission in the first round.

Makhachev is scheduled to face Beneil Dariush on February 26, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 202. However, on February 12, 2022 it was reported that Dariush withdrew from the event due to an ankle injury and he was replaced by Bobby Green. He won the bout via ground and pound TKO in the first round.

Timeline

No Timeline data yet.

Current Employer

Patents

Further Resources

Title
Author
Link
Type
Date

Islam Makhachev drowning opponents

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B8GSGFV26g

Web

January 12, 2022

Islam Makhachev's 7-Fight Win Streak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMzXPmWtMAw

Web

July 14, 2021

Origins: Islam Makhachev

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF_6u1i37uI

Web

July 13, 2021

References

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