Islam Makhachev is a Russian mixed martial artist and former sambo world champion. Currently competing in the UFC's Lightweight division, he holds the title of UFC Lightweight Champion. With a professional fighting career spanning back to 2010, Makhachev boasts an impressive record, including becoming a two-time Russian national champion in the 74 kg weight class. His accomplishments have earned him the top spot in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings as of November 7, 2023.
October 1991: Birth of Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev was born in October 1991.
2010: Start of Islam Makhachev's Professional MMA Career
Islam Makhachev began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2010.
February 2011: Islam Makhachev's M-1 Global Debut
Islam Makhachev made his debut in M-1 Global on February 12, 2011, against Tengiz Khuchua. He secured a victory by knockout (KO) in the first round.
April 2013: Islam Makhachev's Victory Against Mansour Barnaoui
On April 9, 2013, Islam Makhachev faced Mansour Barnaoui at M-1 Challenge 38, where he secured a victory by unanimous decision with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 30-27.
August 2013: Islam Makhachev's Victory Against Rander Junio
Islam Makhachev faced and defeated then-undefeated Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Rander Junio on August 21, 2013, at M-1 Challenge 41. He won via unanimous decision.
February 2014: Islam Makhachev's Victory at the Russian National Combat Sambo Championship
Islam Makhachev emerged victorious in the -74 kg division at the Russian National Combat Sambo Championship in February 2014, securing his qualification for the world championship in Japan.
June 2014: Islam Makhachev's Dominant Win Against Yuri Ivlev
Islam Makhachev dominated his fight against M-1 Global's Yuri Ivlev on June 7, 2014, at M-1 Challenge 49. He weakened Ivlev with punches before finishing the fight by submission via armbar.
September 2014: Islam Makhachev's Final M-1 Global Victory
Islam Makhachev's final bout for M-1 Global before joining the UFC took place on September 7, 2014. He defeated Ivica Truscek via submission in the third round.
October 2014: Islam Makhachev Signs with UFC
In October 2014, Islam Makhachev signed a four-fight contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
2014: Islam Makhachev's Russian National Championship Win
Islam Makhachev won the Russian National Combat Sambo Championship in 2014.
May 2015: Islam Makhachev's UFC Debut
Islam Makhachev made his UFC debut on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187, where he submitted Leo Kuntz in the second round.
October 2015: Islam Makhachev's First Professional Loss
Islam Makhachev faced Adriano Martins on October 3, 2015, at UFC 192 and lost by knockout in the first round, marking his first and only professional loss to date.
November 2015: Islam Makhachev's Meldonium Prescription
Islam Makhachev was prescribed meldonium in November 2015 to aid his recovery from a heart procedure.
April 2016: Islam Makhachev's Bout Cancellation and Failed Drug Test
Islam Makhachev was scheduled to fight Drew Dober at UFC on Fox 19 on April 16, 2016. However, the bout was canceled after Makhachev failed an out-of-competition drug screening for the banned anti-ischemic meldonium.
July 2016: Lifting of Islam Makhachev's Suspension
Islam Makhachev's suspension was lifted after a hearing on July 2, 2016. The hearing determined that meldonium, the drug found in his system, was prescribed in November 2015 for recovery from a heart procedure.
September 2016: Islam Makhachev's Victory Against Chris Wade
On September 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 94, Islam Makhachev faced Chris Wade and won the fight via unanimous decision.
2016: Islam Makhachev Becomes Combat Sambo World Champion
In 2016, Islam Makhachev became the combat sambo world champion.
2016: Islam Makhachev's Second Victory at the Russian National Championship and World Championship Gold
In 2016, Makhachev secured his second victory in the -74 kg division at the Russian National Championship, once again qualifying for the world championship. He then went on to win the gold medal at the 2016 World Combat Sambo Championship, defeating Valentin Benishev of Bulgaria (7-0) in the finals.
February 2017: Islam Makhachev's Victory Against Nik Lentz
Islam Makhachev defeated Nik Lentz by unanimous decision at UFC 208 on February 11, 2017.
September 2017: Islam Makhachev Withdraws from UFC Fight Night 115
Islam Makhachev was scheduled to fight Michel Prazeres at UFC Fight Night 115 on September 2, 2017, but withdrew in early August citing religious reasons. Mads Burnell replaced him.
January 2018: Islam Makhachev's Knockout Victory Against Gleison Tibau
Islam Makhachev knocked out Gleison Tibau in 57 seconds of the first round at UFC 220 on January 20, 2018.
July 2018: Islam Makhachev's Submission Victory Against Kajan Johnson
Islam Makhachev submitted Kajan Johnson with an armbar in the first round at UFC on Fox 30 on July 28, 2018.
November 2018: Islam Makhachev's Withdrawal from UFC 233
Islam Makhachev pulled out of his scheduled fight against Francisco Trinaldo at UFC 233 in November 2018, citing undisclosed reasons.
January 2019: Islam Makhachev Withdraws from UFC 233
Islam Makhachev was scheduled to face Francisco Trinaldo at UFC 233 on January 26, 2019, but withdrew on November 11, 2018, due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Alexander Hernandez.
April 2019: Islam Makhachev's Victory Against Arman Tsarukyan and Fight of the Night Award
Islam Makhachev emerged victorious from his fight against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Fight Night 149 on April 20, 2019, winning by unanimous decision. This victory also earned him the Fight of the Night award.
September 2019: Islam Makhachev's Victory Against Davi Ramos
Islam Makhachev won his fight against Davi Ramos at UFC 242 on September 7, 2019, by unanimous decision.
April 2020: Islam Makhachev Removed from UFC 249
Initially scheduled to face Alexander Hernandez at UFC 249 on April 18, 2020, Islam Makhachev was removed from the card due to COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions. Omar Morales replaced him.
October 2020: Islam Makhachev's Scheduled Bout with Rafael dos Anjos Postponed
Islam Makhachev was expected to face Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 254 on October 24, 2020. However, dos Anjos tested positive for COVID-19 on October 8, 2020, leading to his removal from the bout. The fight was rescheduled but faced further delays.
November 2020: Islam Makhachev Withdraws from UFC Fight Night
Islam Makhachev was scheduled for a rearranged bout against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos on November 14, 2020. However, he withdrew on November 8 due to a staph infection.
March 2021: Islam Makhachev's Submission Victory Against Drew Dober
Islam Makhachev submitted Drew Dober with an arm-triangle choke in the third round at UFC 259 on March 6, 2021.
July 2021: Islam Makhachev's Submission Victory Against Thiago Moisés
Islam Makhachev secured a victory over Thiago Moisés via rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round at UFC on ESPN 26 on July 17, 2021.
October 2021: Islam Makhachev's Submission Victory Against Dan Hooker
Islam Makhachev was scheduled to fight former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267 on October 30, 2021. However, dos Anjos withdrew due to an injury, and Dan Hooker stepped in as a replacement. Makhachev won the fight via kimura submission in the first round.
February 2022: Islam Makhachev's Victory Against Bobby Green
Originally scheduled to face Beneil Dariush at UFC Fight Night 202 on February 26, 2022, Islam Makhachev instead fought Bobby Green, who replaced Dariush after he withdrew due to an ankle injury. Makhachev won the bout via ground and pound TKO in the first round.
October 2022: Islam Makhachev Wins UFC Lightweight Championship
Islam Makhachev fought Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 280 on October 22, 2022. He won the fight and the title in the second round via arm-triangle choke after knocking down Oliveira with a punch. His performance earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.
November 2022: Islam Makhachev Awarded Order "For Merit to the Republic of Dagestan"
Islam Makhachev received the Order "For Merit to the Republic of Dagestan" in November 2022 in recognition of his achievements in martial arts.
February 2023: Islam Makhachev Defends UFC Lightweight Title, Wins Fight of the Night and Sali Suleiman Medal
Islam Makhachev successfully defended his UFC Lightweight Championship against UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 on February 12, 2023, winning by unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. Following his victory, both Makhachev and his coach, Muslim Amiraslanov, were honored with the Sali Suleiman medal, the highest award bestowed by the Dagestan Ministry of Sports, named after a renowned wrestler.
October 2023: UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski
Originally scheduled for a rematch with Charles Oliveira, Islam Makhachev instead faced Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 in October 2023, after Oliveira withdrew due to injuries. Makhachev won the fight by head kick knockout in the first round, earning the Performance of the Night award.
November 2023: Islam Makhachev's Pound-for-Pound Ranking
As of November 2023, Islam Makhachev was ranked #1 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.
June 2024: UFC 302: Makhachev vs. Poirier
Islam Makhachev is scheduled to defend his title against former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June 2024.