Islam Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight Champion with a professional MMA record of 24 wins and one loss. Islam holds the International Master of Combat Sambo rank and won a gold medal at the 2016 Combat Sambo World Championship.
Islam Makhachev defeated Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 via unanimous decision and successfully defended his Lightweight title.
Islam Makhachev started his combat sports journey at his home village of Burshi, Dagestan, where he trained in Combat Sambo under the mentorship of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Makhachev had a successful Sambo Career, became the Russian National Champion four times, won a gold medal at the 2016 FIAS World Combat Sambo Championship, and became the World Combat Sambo Federation World Champion.
Makhachaev started his MMA journey in 2010 while still being an active Sambo competitive. He made his debut at Tsumada Fighting Championship 4 against Magomed Bekbolatov, which he won unanimously.
He then signed with M-1 and debuted at M-1 Selection Ukraine 2010 Finals against Tengiz Khuchua. Islam KO'ed Tengiz in the second round and built on this momentum as he won his next 9-fights in the Russian MMA circuit, with 4-wins coming in M-1.
Makhachev left M-1 in 2014 to join the UFC.
Islam made his UFC debut against Leo Kuntz at UFC 187 and won in the second round via rear-naked choke submission.
After this, he faced Adriano Martins at UC 192 and got his first loss in professional MMA, as Martins finished him in the first round via KO(punch). He defeated Chris Wade and Nik Lentz via a unanimous decision to regain momentum. Makhachev won his next 4-fights in the UFC before getting a main-event headliner fight against Thiago Moises at UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moises. Makhachev outclassed Thiago Moises on the ground to pick up a dominating fourth-round rear-naked choke submission victory.
Islam fought Dan Hooker at UFC 267 and defeated him via first-round kimura submission to extend his winning streak to 9 wins.
Below is the professional MMA record of Islam Makhachev:
Islam Makhachev (23-1) seized the UFC's 155-pound championship by submitting Charles Oliveira (33-9) at UFC 280 inside Etihad Arena. The finish came at 3:16 of the second round via arm triangle choke. Charles Oliveira, who saw an 11-fight win streak snapped, tapped to the choke after he was dropped by a right hand.
Makhachev entered the cage quickly; he looked pretty confident, considering his last 9 match streak wins. On the other side, Green joined the cell, gathering some confidence. As soon as the Fight started, Makhachev checked his leg kick on Green, making Green uncomfortable with his moves. Makhachev started dominating the Fight as Green could not defend against Makhachev's punches and kicks. Makhachev came on the whole mount with reasonable top control and took down Green via TKO(points).
Islam Makhachev fought Dan Hooker at UFC 267. Islam dominated Hooker and took him down inside the first minute and proceeded to establish ground control and locked in a tight kimura submission that forced Hooker to submit. Islam jumped to #4 in the UFC Lightweight rankings after this victory.
Islam Makhachev has now won 12 fights in a row.
Islam Makhachev is the new lightweight champion after defeating Charles Oliveria on October 22, 2022.
29 wins and no losses
Last updated on February 13, 2022.
