Islam Makhachev: The Dagestani Champion — Fighter Profile, Career & Legacy
- Dana Black
- May 8
- 7 min read
Introduction
Islam Makhachev is the reigning UFC Welterweight Champion, a former lightweight champion, the world's top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, and the architect of the post-Khabib Dagestani era. With a 28-1 record and victories over Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Dustin Poirier, and Jack Della Maddalena, he is the closest thing modern MMA has to an undisputed best fighter on the planet. He won his second UFC belt in November 2025 at Madison Square Garden.
Contents
Quick Stats
Nickname: Islam
Age: 34 (born October 27, 1991)
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
Reach: 70.5" (179 cm)
Weight Class: Welterweight (170 lb) — former Lightweight (155 lb)
Stance: Southpaw
Team: American Kickboxing Academy / Eagles MMA — head coach Javier Mendez
Pro MMA Record: 28 wins, 1 loss — current UFC Welterweight Champion
Background
Born October 27, 1991 in Makhachkala, the capital of the Russian Republic of Dagestan, Makhachev grew up training Combat Sambo and freestyle wrestling under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov — Khabib Nurmagomedov's father. He has trained alongside Khabib since their early teens, and the two are famously inseparable; their shared technical foundation and competing pacing made them the central pair of the modern Dagestani MMA system.
He was Combat Sambo World Champion in 2016 and made his UFC debut in May 2015 at UFC 187. His only career loss came in his sophomore UFC fight, a knockout by Adriano Martins at UFC 192 — a result Makhachev has cited as the lesson that reshaped his approach to early-round defensive striking. He has not lost since.
Fighting Style
The most refined version of the Dagestani Combat Sambo system. Makhachev is a southpaw who uses his lead leg and a snapping left straight to set up level changes. His takedown entries are technically cleaner than Khabib's were — he angles off rather than driving straight in — and his cage wrestling is the best in the sport. Once on top, the chain is mount, body triangle, arm-triangle choke. Half of his career submission wins follow that exact sequence.
His weakness, if it can be called one, is comfort: he is content to win rounds via positional dominance rather than always pushing for the finish. Volkanovski's first fight against him at UFC 284 was the closest he has been pushed — Volkanovski outstruck him at distance for stretches before Makhachev closed in the championship rounds. The Della Maddalena welterweight title fight was won on positional volume rather than the explosive submission threats of his lightweight prime, prompting media debate about whether his finishing window has narrowed at 170.
Career Highlights
October 2022 — UFC Lightweight Champion. Submitted Charles Oliveira via arm-triangle choke in round two at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi to claim the vacant title.
February 2023 — UFC 284 vs Alexander Volkanovski. Won a five-round unanimous decision in Perth in Volkanovski's home country to make his first title defense.
October 2023 — UFC 294 vs Volkanovski 2. Knocked Volkanovski out in round one with a head kick that became one of the cleanest finishes of the title run.
June 2024 — UFC 302 vs Dustin Poirier. Submitted Poirier with a D'Arce choke in round five — the latest submission in a UFC title fight in 2024.
January 2025 — UFC 311 vs Renato Moicano. D'Arce choke in round one; the final lightweight title defense before vacating.
November 2025 — UFC 322 vs Jack Della Maddalena. Won the welterweight title by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden, becoming the eleventh fighter in UFC history to hold belts in two divisions.
Notable Fights & Rivalries
vs Charles Oliveira (UFC 280, 2022)
The vacant-title fight that crowned the next era. Makhachev clipped Oliveira on the feet in round one, dragged him down, took the back, and submitted him with an arm-triangle choke in round two. It established the modern pattern: Makhachev's striking is dangerous enough to set up the takedown, and the takedown is the end of the fight.
vs Alexander Volkanovski (UFC 284 2023, UFC 294 2023)
Two fights, one definitive answer. Volkanovski moved up two weight classes and gave Makhachev the closest fight of his career at UFC 284, winning rounds two and three on the feet. The rematch eight months later at UFC 294 ended in round one with a head-kick finish — Makhachev's most spectacular knockout.
vs Dustin Poirier (UFC 302, 2024)
A final career main event for Poirier, fought in his Louisiana stronghold. Makhachev controlled four rounds before Poirier hurt him briefly in the fifth; he answered by sinking a D'Arce choke in the final two minutes for the latest UFC title-fight submission of 2024.
vs Jack Della Maddalena (UFC 322, 2025)
His welterweight debut and the second UFC belt. Della Maddalena, the reigning welterweight champion, was outwrestled across five rounds at Madison Square Garden. The fight was technically dominant but cited by some media as 'good but boring' — a critique that has shadowed Makhachev's commercial profile despite the resume.
Championships & Accolades
UFC Welterweight Champion (November 2025 to present).
UFC Lightweight Champion (October 2022 to May 2025) — five successful defenses, the most in lightweight title history.
Eleventh fighter in UFC history to hold championships in two weight divisions.
Most lightweight title fight wins in UFC history (5).
Currently #1 in the men's UFC pound-for-pound rankings.
Combat Sambo World Champion (2016).
Most submission wins by a UFC lightweight champion in title fights.
Current Status
Active and reigning. Makhachev is the current UFC welterweight champion as of his November 15, 2025 win over Jack Della Maddalena. He has not yet defended the welterweight title; his stated return target is April through June 2026, after Ramadan.
His next opponent has not been finalized as of May 2026. Public discussion has centered on three names: Ian Machado Garry, Carlos Prates (Makhachev's stated preference after Prates knocked out Della Maddalena in November 2025), and former champion Kamaru Usman, who returned to relevance with a win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta. UFC 330 in Philadelphia on August 15 has been discussed as a target date.
Fun Facts
Has trained alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov since they were teenagers — both were coached by Khabib's father Abdulmanap.
Holds 13.31 million Instagram followers, the most of any active UFC pound-for-pound fighter.
Devout Muslim and an observant fasting Muslim during Ramadan — he never fights during the holy month.
Originally trained as a freestyle wrestler before transitioning to Combat Sambo at age 14.
Vacated the lightweight title in May 2025 to move up to welterweight rather than be inactive while waiting on contender clarity at 155.
Has accumulated career UFC earnings exceeding $7 million in disclosed purses, with significant additional revenue from Russian and Middle Eastern brand partnerships.
His left leg — used for the snapping front kick and for setting up his takedown angle — has been described by coach Javier Mendez as 'the most underrated weapon at lightweight.'
Trained briefly for the 2026 White House card before passing on the date in favor of a longer welterweight title-defense camp.
Legacy / Verdict
Makhachev's resume is, on paper, already a Hall of Fame ledger. Twenty-eight wins, one loss, two divisional titles, victories over Oliveira, Volkanovski twice, and Poirier. The pound-for-pound number-one ranking has been his for over two years. The case for him as the best fighter alive is the easiest one to make in the sport right now.
What he lacks, fairly or not, is the commercial gravity that turned Khabib into a household name. The Della Maddalena fight was technically masterful and visibly dull; he has yet to produce the signature mainstream finish that creates a McGregor-tier star. The welterweight title defense in 2026 is the most important fight of his career — not for legacy ranking, but for whether he can generate the kind of fight that makes him a global commercial centerpiece on top of an already-elite competitive ledger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Islam Makhachev UFC Welterweight Champion?
Yes. He won the UFC welterweight title at UFC 322 on November 15, 2025, defeating Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden. He is the reigning welterweight champion and currently ranked #1 in the men's pound-for-pound rankings.
What is Islam Makhachev's professional MMA record?
Twenty-eight wins and one loss — his only career defeat coming by knockout to Adriano Martins at UFC 192 in October 2015. He has not lost in over a decade.
Did Islam Makhachev win two UFC titles?
Yes. He held the UFC lightweight title from October 2022 to May 2025 (vacated to move up in weight) and won the welterweight championship at UFC 322 in November 2025 — making him the eleventh fighter in UFC history to hold belts in two divisions.
Who has Islam Makhachev beaten?
His resume includes Charles Oliveira (UFC 280 vacant title), Alexander Volkanovski (twice — UFC 284 and UFC 294), Dustin Poirier (UFC 302), Renato Moicano (UFC 311), and Jack Della Maddalena (UFC 322). Five lightweight title defenses, then the welterweight title in his first 170-pound bout.
When did Islam Makhachev last fight?
November 15, 2025 at UFC 322. He won a unanimous decision over Jack Della Maddalena to claim the welterweight championship.
What style does Islam Makhachev fight?
The Dagestani Combat Sambo system — chain wrestling, smothering top control, and a developing southpaw striking game with a vicious left straight. His grappling sequences are textbook Khabib-school: outside trip into mount, body triangle, then arm-triangle choke.
Who coaches Islam Makhachev?
His head coach is Javier Mendez at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose. Khabib Nurmagomedov serves as his strategic coach and longtime training partner; Khabib's late father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov originally coached Islam in Dagestan as a teenager.
Where is Islam Makhachev from?
Born October 27, 1991 in Makhachkala, Republic of Dagestan, Russia. He has been training alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov since they were teenagers under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov's instruction.
References
Comments