As the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC right now, we decided to take a deep dive into the MMA career of Islam Makhachev. Read on to find out more about his MMA resumé, previous fights and his UFC title record.
Islam Makhachev Record
Islam Makhachev turned professional back in 2010 with a debut victory against Magomed Bekbolatov in his home country of Russia. Since then, Makhachev has had another 27 professional MMA fights, winning all but one of them.
Makhachev’s career has been nothing short of magnificent to date. The Dagestani MMA star is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, having successfully defended the belt on three occasions after originally winning the title back in October 2022 against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.
Islam Makhachev is one of the best pound-for-pound UFC fighters on the planet right now, of that there is no question. His career up to now has been sensational, and he still has some big nights left before he hangs his gloves up. You wouldn’t rule him out becoming a multi-division champion in the UFC before he retires.
As previously mentioned, Islam Makhachev made his professional MMA debut well over a decade ago now. He was on a Tsumada Fighting Championship 4 card where he made the perfect start to his career by winning via decision. Makhachev then had 10 more fights as a pro MMA fighter before signing a deal with Dana White and the UFC.
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The Islam Makhachev UFC Record Solidifies Him As #1 Pound-For-Pound
On his debut in the UFC, Makhachev showed us all what the hype was about, moving to 12-0 with a rear-naked choke submission in Round 2 against Leo Kuntz. However, Makhachev was brought back down to earth in his second UFC outing, losing via knockout to Adriano Martins inside a round in what was deemed a huge upset.
Since then, Islam Makhachev has bounced back in style. He has won his last 15 fights on the trot, putting that knockout defeat well behind him. Makhachev beat the likes of Chris Wade, Nik Lentz, Gleison Tibau and Kajan Johnson next, before stepping into a real 50/50 fight with Arman Tsarukyan.
Makhachev passed that test with flying colours, before then backing the Tsarukyan win up by beating Davi Ramos, Drew Dober, Thiago Moisés and Dan Hooker. Of these four fights, the Dagestani machine won three of them via submission.
Then, in his last UFC fight before fighting for the title, Makhachev knocked out Bobby Green in style in Round 1 of their 160-pound catchweight bout. Up next was his shot at UFC gold. A fight with Charles Oliveira for the UFC Lightweight Title at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi.
Makhachev put on arguably his best career performance, submitting the long-reigning champion in Round 2 of their contest to become the new king at 155-pounds. That win meant the 33-year-old became champion at the first time of asking, and hasn’t given up his belt ever since.
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Islam Makhachev’s Fight Record Consists Of Five UFC Lightweight Title Fight Wins
In Islam Makhachev’s first defense, he defeated long-reigning UFC featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski in the main event at UFC 284. The fight was close with Makhachev getting the nod on the scorecards, meaning an immediate rematch was order. Second time around though, Makhachev wasn’t for messing about.
The Dagestani MMA machine demolished Volkanovski in the very first round of the bout, knocking ‘The Great’ out with a head-kick followed by some ground-and-pound. This win meant Makhachev defended his UFC Lightweight Title for the second time, as well as rising to the very top of the UFC pound-for-pound rankings.
In his third defence of the 155-pound belt, the 33-year-old submitted Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June 2024, further solidifying himself as the dominant force at lightweight. Then came his latest title defence at UFC 311, where he annihilated late replacement opponent Renato Moicano in Round 1 via submission.
That takes us up to now in the career of Islam Makhachev. There is a genuine argument that Islam Makhachev is close to unbeatable. No matter who stands opposite him in the octagon, Makhachev will go in as the favourite with the best UFC betting sites in the UK. What an incredible fighter he is.
Be sure to claim the various UFC betting offers and free bet deals available on the SportsCasting site ahead of Islam Makhachev’s next fight.
