Islam Makhachev

Biography and career

Islam Makhachev is a Russian mixed martial artist from Dagestan, the reigning UFC welterweight champion and a former lightweight champion. He’s widely regarded as one of the most technical grapplers in the organization’s history and, in the view of many experts, the best fighter in the world, pound for pound.

Dagestani Roots and the Road to the Top

Makhachev was born in Makhachkala and started out in taekwondo as a child before moving to wushu sanda, where he met the Nurmagomedov brothers, including Khabib, who became his mentor and close friend for years to come. He began his professional career in 2010 on the Russian regional circuit and made his UFC debut in 2015 — unsuccessfully, losing by first-round knockout to Adriano Martins. That loss remains the only one of his career.

Since then, Makhachev hasn’t lost to anyone — 16 straight wins, matching Anderson Silva’s record for the longest win streak in UFC history. Along the way he got past Arman Tsarukyan (unanimous decision in 2019), Dan Hooker (submission via kimura), Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski (twice), and Dustin Poirier.

Championship in Two Divisions

Makhachev claimed the vacant lightweight title in October 2022, submitting Charles Oliveira (rear-naked choke) in the second round at UFC 280. Two wins over former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski followed — first by unanimous decision, then by a spectacular head-kick knockout — and in June 2024, a submission (rear-naked choke) win over Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302.

On November 15, 2025, at UFC 322 in Madison Square Garden, Makhachev moved up to welterweight and took the belt from Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision (50-45 across all three cards), becoming a two-division UFC champion — the reigning champion at 170 pounds and a former champion at 155.

First Defense: UFC 330 Against Ian Garry

Makhachev will make the first defense of his new title on August 15, 2026, at UFC 330 in Philadelphia against No. 1 contender Ian Machado Garry — a young, brash Irishman who openly claims he’ll eclipse Conor McGregor’s legacy. Bookmakers have installed Makhachev as a clear favorite: Garry has the physical advantages, but Dagestani wrestling and ground control remain the champion’s biggest trump card in any weight class.

Style

Makhachev’s foundation is combat sambo and freestyle wrestling, paired with boxing that has noticeably improved in recent years — an increasingly vital part of modern MMA. He rarely trades in the pocket unless he has to, preferring to wear opponents down with takedowns and control, but he’s shown he can finish fights with strikes when the opportunity presents itself — as he did with the Volkanovski knockout in 2023.