Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev
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Name:
Islam Makhachev
Who is:
Birth date:
(33 y.o.)
Place of birth:
Makhachkala
Height:
5'10 ft ()
Weight:
154 lb (70 kg)
Relationship:
married
Birth Sign:
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Biography of Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev is a Russian world champion in combat sambo and the lightweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in mixed martial arts. He fights in styles such as wushu-sanda, combat sambo, judo, boxing, and freestyle wrestling. He holds the record for most consecutive UFC wins, surpassing Khabib Nurmagomedov. Since then, fans have stopped calling him just Khabib's successor, as Makhachev has proven he's got his own fighting style.
Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev

Childhood, Youth, Family

Islam was born in the fall of 1991 into the Lak family of Ramzan and Zeynab Makhachev from Makhachkala, Dagestan. His mother once said they named him Islam so the faith would "enter their home" even more. He has an older brother, Kurbanismail.

Ramzan Makhachev came to Makhachkala from the village of Burshi in the Lak district and got a job as a driver. Later, the family started a small greenhouse business growing vegetables to sell.

From an early age, Islam was passionate about sports, following his father's example. At seven, he joined a taekwondo club but didn't stick around long.

In first grade, he became friends with Abubakar Nurmagomedov, who suggested they train together in the wushu-sanda section run by his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Shamil Zavurov and future UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov also trained there.

In wushu-sanda, Islam had his first amateur fight and won his first competitions. However, he had to stop for a while because his family moved to the village of Novy Khushet.

The travel time to training was too long, so in the new place, Islam took up playing football and even participated in regional competitions. He also got into plenty of street fights; the local boys initially thought he was some city kid who needed to be "put in his place." He soon became friends with most of them.

Later, he returned to martial arts in a freestyle wrestling club. A year later, after hearing that Khabib was already fighting professionally, Makhachev went back to training with Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Meanwhile, he studied at the Pyatigorsk branch of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. He'd wake up at six in the morning, go for a run, then study at the university from nine, and by five in the afternoon, he'd be at training.

Since he came to the club straight from classes, he'd quickly grab a snack and drink tea from a thermos or water from a bottle, then train until seven in the evening. Then he would run to the station to catch the bus home.

Islam lived in this routine for three years, during which his teachers did not give him any breaks or exempt him from classes even when he needed to travel for competitions. Initially, his father paid for his trips to amateur tournaments, but soon Makhachev got a job as a security guard to feel independent and responsible.

Sports Career

Makhachev burst onto the professional fighting scene in 2010 with a pankration match against Magomed Bekbolatov, marking his MMA debut. He dove headfirst into mixed martial arts a year later, after racking up five bouts in combat sambo. This paved the way for three national championship victories and a dominant World Championship win in Budapest, where he completely shut out his opponents, crushing Bulgarian fighter Valentin Benishev 7-0 in the final.

Makhachev inked his UFC deal in fall 2014, and by 2015, he'd already submitted American Leo Kuntz with a rear-naked choke. Islam's lone career defeat came against Brazilian Adriano Martins, who dropped the Dagestani in the opening round.
Undefeated Islam Makhachev Secures Submission Win in His UFC Debut
In 2016, anti-doping officials suspended the fighter after discovering meldonium in his system. The fight with Drew Dober did not take place. It later came out that Makhachev was on doctor-prescribed medication for treating heart arrhythmia. Islam was reinstated.
Islam Makhachev vs. Drew Dober Full Fight Highlights
Since then, Makhachev has been on a tear, defeating Chris Wade, Nik Lentz, and Kajan Johnson. The fighter started working with legendary coach Javier Mendez.

Early 2019 saw a planned matchup between the Russian and Brazilian Francisco Trinaldo. The bout got scrapped following the infamous brawl between Khabib Nurmagomedov's and Conor McGregor's camps after their New York showdown. Islam got sidelined since he was caught up in the chaos.

Still, that same year Makhachev scored two more wins, both by unanimous decision. His scrap with Arman Tsarukyan earned "Fight of the Night" honors.

Islam went 3-0 in 2021, winning every bout decisively. American Drew Dober admitted his opponent's technique was phenomenal—he had no answer for Makhachev's arm triangle.

The Russian went 2-0 in 2022. He demolished Bobby Green with strikes, then used his signature triangle to force Brazilian Charles Oliveira to tap out. That fall, Islam became just the second Russian after Khabib to capture UFC lightweight gold.
Makhachev vs. Green
2023 proved equally dominant, as he scored a decisive win over top-ranked Australian Alexander Volkanovski. They fought twice.

The first bout saw him take a unanimous decision that earned "Fight of the Night" honors. The rematch was even more spectacular—Makhachev dropped his opponent with a head kick in round one, defending his UFC lightweight title for the second time.

The finish earned "Performance of the Night" honors and sent Islam's fans into a frenzy. He claimed the top spot on UFC's pound-for-pound rankings. ESPN crowned Makhachev Athlete of the Year, while UFC President Dana White expressed hopes for a rematch with Charles Oliveira, who pulled out due to injury.

Islam Makhachev's Personal Life

In spring 2021, the fighter's fans discovered some exciting news: Islam Makhachev had tied the knot. His wife remained out of the public eye, with her face covered by a traditional veil even during the ceremony. The UFC champion's wife comes from a Muslim family that upholds centuries-old Dagestani traditions.

The wedding was held at Makhachkala's most luxurious restaurant, with all the fighters who've been part of his journey in attendance. Khabib Nurmagomedov was also at the celebration. The celebration included traditional spirited dances, heartfelt toasts, and countless congratulations.

In 2023, Makhachev announced he'd become a father to a baby girl. He immediately declared he'd hold off on giving her a phone for as long as possible, seeing no benefit in gadgets. He plans to accompany the girl to and from school whenever possible. So he's convinced she definitely won't need a smartphone.

Islam Makhachev Now

In summer 2024, the fighter successfully defended his UFC lightweight title for the third time. This happened in his bout against American Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in New Jersey. Islam dominated his opponent with a D'Arce choke, forcing the American to tap out. This marked Makhachev's fourteenth straight win, surpassing his friend Khabib for the longest winning streak in UFC history.

The MMA star plans to test himself in the welterweight division.

Interesting Facts

  • As kids, Islam Makhachev and his friends would sneak into restaurant weddings as uninvited guests. They'd slip into banquet halls pretending to be dancers, then grab empty seats and feast on the wedding spread. They always pulled it off, until one day Tagir Ulanbekov, who also became a UFC fighter, decided to actually dance. The boys got kicked out, and they never crashed restaurant weddings again since the "dancers" were now recognized.
  • When he gets downtime, Islam loves riding his motorcycle or going horseback riding. He takes the bike off-road through meadows and fields to avoid any trouble for himself or others. He's passionate about horses, dropping around 100,000 rubles monthly on maintaining his small herd. Each horse runs him about 500,000 rubles on average.
  • Islam Makhachev was born left-handed, but his parents trained him to use his right hand for everything, like other kids. He learned to write and eat with his right hand, following the Muslim traditions he was raised with.

Important Life Events

  • 2010: Won the TFC-4 tournament.
  • 2011: Won the M-1 tournament.
  • 2014: Became the Russian Combat Sambo Champion. Signed a contract with the UFC.
  • 2015: Won the UFC 187 tournament.
  • 2016: Became the Russian Combat Sambo Champion for the second time. Became the World Combat Sambo Champion and was awarded the title of International Master of Sports of Russia.
  • 2017: Won the UFC 208 tournament.
  • 2018: Won the UFC 220 tournament.
  • 2019: Won the UFC 242 tournament.
  • 2021: Won the UFC 259 tournament. Married a Muslim woman.
  • 2022: Won the UFC 280 tournament. Captured the UFC Lightweight Title. Had the "Fight of the Night" by defeating Charles Oliveira. Awarded the Order "For Merit to the Republic of Dagestan."
  • 2023: A daughter was born. Won the UFC 294 tournament, defending the UFC Lightweight Title for the second time. Awarded the Order of Honor of the Republic of Dagestan.
  • 2024: Won the UFC 302 tournament, defending the UFC Lightweight Title for the third time.