Islam Makhachev is one of the most prominent names in mixed martial arts (MMA), renowned for his dominance in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) octagon. Born in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, he has distinguished himself as a skilled grappler with a fighting style rooted in ground control and precise submissions. With an impressive record of 27 wins and just one loss, Makhachev has built a career marked by persistence and constant evolution. This article explores his journey, from his early beginnings to the latest updates in October 2025.
Early Life and Training
Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev was born on October 27, 1991, in Makhachkala, the capital of the Republic of Dagestan, in the former Soviet Union. Of Lak ethnicity, he grew up in the remote village of Burshi, where life was simple yet challenging. His father worked as a driver and grew tomatoes, while his mother was a homemaker and ran a small café. Islam has an older brother, Kurbanismail, and the family faced the typical hardships of a mountainous, culturally rich region.
At seven, Makhachev began training in taekwondo under decorated coach Seyfula Magomedov. He later transitioned to sanda, a combat sport blending kickboxing and wrestling. During school, he studied alongside Abubakar Nurmagomedov and met Khabib Nurmagomedov, Shamil Zavurov, and their family, which would prove pivotal to his career. After his family moved to another city, he briefly abandoned combat sports for two years to play soccer, but the local culture of street fights kept him engaged in informal scraps, often organized by adults to toughen young boys.
He trained in freestyle wrestling for a year before turning to MMA under the guidance of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, after learning Khabib was already a professional. A childhood fan of the UFC, Makhachev admired fighters like Tank Abbott and Ken Shamrock. While training, he attended Dagestan State University, studying physical education and sports. To support himself, he worked as a security guard, with his employer allowing training during shifts and paying his salary during competitions and camps.
In combat sambo, Makhachev excelled. In 2014, he won the -74 kg division at the Russian National Championship in Ulan-Ude, qualifying for the world championship in Japan, but a heart condition prevented participation. In 2016, he repeated the national title in Petrozavodsk and won gold at the Combat Sambo World Championship in Sofia, defeating Bulgaria’s Valentin Benishev 7-0 in the final. He holds the title of International Master of Sport in combat sambo and a black belt in judo. These early achievements shaped his technical foundation, emphasizing positional control and fluid transitions.
Early Professional MMA Career
Makhachev debuted as a professional in 2010, building a solid early record before joining the UFC. His first notable fight was on February 12, 2011, at M-1 Global, where he knocked out Tengiz Khuchua in the first round. He continued with unanimous decision victories over Mansour Barnaoui on April 9, 2013, at M-1 Challenge 38, and Rander Junio on August 21, 2013, at M-1 Challenge 41. On June 7, 2014, he submitted Yuri Ivlev with an armbar in the first round at M-1 Challenge 49, and on September 7, 2014, he finished Ivica Truscek by submission in the third round at M-1 Challenge 51.
On October 2, 2014, he signed a four-fight UFC contract. His debut was on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187, submitting Leo Kuntz with a rear-naked choke in the second round. However, on October 3, 2015, at UFC 192, he suffered his only professional loss: a first-round knockout to Adriano Martins. A scheduled fight against Drew Dober on April 16, 2016, at UFC on Fox 19 was canceled after Makhachev tested positive for meldonium; the USADA lifted the suspension on July 2, 2016, determining the drug was prescribed in November 2015 for heart recovery.
Bouncing back, Makhachev defeated Chris Wade by unanimous decision on September 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 94, and Nik Lentz by unanimous decision on February 11, 2017, at UFC 208. A fight against Michel Prazeres on September 2, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 115 was canceled due to religious obligations (Hajj). He knocked out Gleison Tibau in 57 seconds in the first round on January 20, 2018, at UFC 220. On July 28, 2018, at UFC on Fox 30, he submitted Kajan Johnson with an armbar in the first round. A bout against Francisco Trinaldo on January 26, 2019, at UFC 233 was canceled for undisclosed reasons.
These early UFC wins showcased his resilience, with Makhachev earning unanimous decisions over Arman Tsarukyan on April 20, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 149 (earning Fight of the Night) and Davi Ramos on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242. Scheduled fights against Alexander Hernandez on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249 were canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, as were bouts against Rafael dos Anjos in October and November 2020. He submitted Drew Dober with an arm-triangle choke in the third round on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259; Thiago Moisés with a rear-naked choke in the fourth round on July 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 26; and Dan Hooker with a kimura in the first round on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267.
UFC Rise and Title Achievements
Makhachev’s rise gained momentum in 2022. On February 26, at UFC Fight Night 202, he finished Bobby Green with ground-and-pound in the first round (a 160-pound catchweight bout, replacing an injured Beneil Dariush), expressing interest in moving to welterweight. The pinnacle came on October 22, 2022, at UFC 280, where he won the vacant lightweight title by submitting Charles Oliveira with an arm-triangle choke in the second round after a knockdown (Performance of the Night). In November 2022, he received the Order “For Merits to the Republic of Dagestan.”
He defended the title against Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision on February 12, 2023, at UFC 284 (Fight of the Night), earning the Sali Suleiman medal alongside coach Muslim Amiraslanov. A rematch with Oliveira on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294 switched to Volkanovski due to Oliveira’s injury; Makhachev won by knockout with a head kick in the first round (Performance of the Night). On June 1, 2024, at UFC 302, he defended against Dustin Poirier with a D’Arce choke at 2:42 of the fifth round (Performance and Fight of the Night, totaling $100,000 in bonuses).
On January 18, 2025, at UFC 311, he defended against Renato Moicano with a brabo choke in the first round (replacing an injured Arman Tsarukyan), breaking the UFC lightweight record for consecutive title defenses (four). Notable opponents include Oliveira, Volkanovski (twice), Poirier, and Moicano. He earned multiple UFC bonuses, including Fight of the Night (UFC Fight Night 149, UFC 284, UFC 302) and Performance of the Night (UFC 280, UFC 294, UFC 302). On June 28, 2025, he vacated the lightweight title to move up to welterweight.
Fighting Style and Techniques
Makhachev’s style is rooted in sambo, trained in the Dagestani system like Khabib Nurmagomedov. He prioritizes positional control, chain wrestling, and relentless ground pressure, with a more methodical and refined approach than his compatriot. He uses trips and body locks from the clinch for efficient takedowns. On the ground, he wears down opponents with top pressure and gradual advances, favoring submissions like arm-triangle chokes over immediate ground-and-pound.
Despite his grappling focus, he has measured striking, using feints and southpaw kicks to manage distance and set up clinch or takedown entries. He blends control and patience to force defensive positions. Standing 5’10” with a 70-inch reach, his versatility shines. Favorite techniques include the twister in grappling and the jab in striking. He trains at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), Fight Spirit Team, Gadzhi Makhachev Wrestling Club, Old School Fighters, KHK MMA Team, and Eagles MMA, with coaches like Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov (deceased), Javier Mendez, and Khabib.
Personal Life and Influences
Makhachev is married and a father of three: a daughter (the eldest) and two sons, as of January 2025 updates. He fights out of Makhachkala, Dagestan, in the lightweight division (155 pounds) but recently moved to welterweight (170 pounds). His hero is Muslim Amiraslanov, and he began training at 10 for self-defense and strength. He studied at Dagestan State University and is a world and European combat sambo champion, four-time Russian champion, and International Master of Sport.
He views the UFC as a platform to make a global statement. His bond with Khabib is deep, training together and sharing Dagestani roots. In interviews, he emphasizes discipline and humility, influenced by Muslim culture and the region’s wrestling tradition.
Recent Updates and Upcoming Challenges
In May 2025, it was announced that UFC 317 would feature a vacant lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, prompting Makhachev to vacate his belt and challenge for the welterweight title against champion Jack Della Maddalena. On August 28, 2025, the fight was confirmed for November 15, 2025, at UFC 322. Updates on his weight show he’s adapting well to the new division, reaching 191 pounds (about 86.6 kg), with coach Javier Mendez confirming a positive bulk-up despite initial concerns about the weight cut for UFC 322.
Dustin Poirier questioned Makhachev’s future in lightweight, suggesting he may be “done” at 155 pounds after the move. Predictions for the fight include Makhachev submitting Della Maddalena in championship rounds, per former UFC contenders. Dan Hardy predicts a Makhachev victory. He broke his silence on a potential fight with Topuria but is focused on welterweight.
Recent reactions include livestreams with Khabib watching teammates’ knockouts at PFL Dubai. In October 2025 rankings, he is #1 in lightweight and #2 pound-for-pound. His last fight was January 18, 2025, at UFC 311, submitting Moicano. Fans discuss his legacy, comparing him to Khabib and predicting continued dominance.
Makhachev continues training intensely, preparing for what could be a new chapter in his career. His welterweight move tests his adaptability, but his track record suggests success. With 15 consecutive wins and 2:53:16 of octagon time, he remains an unstoppable force. The MMA world eagerly awaits UFC 322, where he could add another belt to his collection.
