Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev is a fighter from Dagestan, UFC welterweight champion and former lightweight champion who also represents sambo around the world.
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Latest
Islam’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
- UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry2026 · Welterweight title defense and record 17th straight UFC win
UFC - UFC 322: A second championship division2025 · Won the welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena
UFC - UFC 294: The Volkanovski rematch2023 · First-round knockout to retain the lightweight title
UFC - UFC 280: His first UFC championship2022 · Submitted Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title
UFC
Overview
- From
- Dagestan, Russia
- Sport
- Mixed martial arts and combat sambo
- Professional since
- 2010
- UFC debut
- May 23, 2015
- Breakout
- Won the UFC lightweight title at UFC 280 in October 2022
- Current championship
- UFC welterweight champion
Mini bio
How it started.
Makhachev says he began training at ten to protect himself and build strength. Coached by Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, he turned professional in 2010 and reached the UFC in 2015. His base is sambo, and he trains at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose.
Finding his place.
His first UFC championship came in October 2022, when he submitted Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. Two title defenses against Alexander Volkanovski followed in 2023, first a five-round decision and then a first-round knockout in their rematch.
A new weight class.
After four consecutive lightweight title defenses, Makhachev moved to welterweight in 2025. He described spending a training camp building strength and mass before training with larger partners. That November, he defeated Jack Della Maddalena to win the welterweight championship.
Keeping sambo close.
FIAS appointed him a global ambassador in February 2026. Alongside his UFC career, that role has taken him to community events and the World Sambo Championships, helping introduce the sport to more fans.
Creditschronological, newest first
- 2026UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado GarryWelterweight champion; won by unanimous decision
- 2025UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs MakhachevChallenger; won the welterweight championship
- 2025UFC 311: Makhachev vs MoicanoLightweight champion; won by submission
- 2023UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2Lightweight champion; won by knockout
- 2022UFC 280: Oliveira vs MakhachevChallenger; won the lightweight championship
Awards
Quotes
I want to do something more than just become champion; to be double champ.Islam Makhachev, UFC.com
Speaking during fight week before challenging Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November 2025.
Trivia
- He names the twister as his favorite grappling technique and the jab as his favorite striking technique.
- He studied in the athletic faculty at Dagestan State University.
- Young sambo athletes gave him a personalized Philadelphia Eagles jersey during his August 2026 visit.
- He donated a signed sambo jacket to the FIAS Museum when he became an ambassador.
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