Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev, born on September 27, 1991, in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia, is a professional mixed martial artist and former combat sambo competitor.
Competing in the lightweight division, Makhachev is the former UFC Lightweight Champion and is widely regarded for his exceptional grappling skills, honed under the guidance of his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Khabib’s late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
An ethnic Lak, Makhachev grew up in the rural village of Burshi in Dagestan, a region known for producing elite MMA fighters.
His early life was marked by physical labor and a culture of street fighting, which shaped his resilience and work ethic.
Makhachev began training in martial arts at a young age, starting with taekwondo at seven before transitioning to sanda and eventually combat sambo and mixed martial arts.
His disciplined approach and technical prowess have made him a standout in the UFC, where he currently holds the number 1 ranking in the lightweight division and number 2 in the men’s pound-for-pound rankings as of July 1, 2025.
Siblings
Islam has an older brother named Kurbanismail Makhachev.
However, information about Kurbanismail is limited, as he maintains a high level of privacy regarding his family.
Career
Makhachev’s professional MMA career began in 2010, following a successful stint in combat sambo.
His early career saw him compete in Russia’s M-1 Global, where he debuted on February 12, 2011, defeating Tengiz Khuchua via first-round knockout.
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He continued to dominate, securing victories over fighters like Yuri Ivlev and Ivica Truscek, primarily through submissions that showcased his grappling expertise.
In 2014, Makhachev signed a four-fight contract with the UFC, making his debut on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187, where he submitted Leo Kuntz in the second round.
His only professional loss came on October 3, 2015, against Adriano Martins via first-round knockout, a setback that fueled his subsequent 13-fight win streak.
Makhachev’s career highlights include victories over notable fighters like Gleison Tibau, whom he knocked out in just 57 seconds at UFC 220, and Kajan Johnson, whom he submitted at UFC on Fox 30.
His grappling prowess shone in submissions against Drew Dober, Thiago Moises, Dan Hooker, and Charles Oliveira, the latter of whom he defeated to claim the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 280 on October 22, 2022.
Makhachev defended his title against Alexander Volkanovski twice and Dustin Poirier once, solidifying his dominance.
With a record of 26-1-0, including 5 knockouts, 12 submissions, and 9 decisions, Makhachev continues to build a legacy as one of the UFC’s most formidable lightweights.
Accolades
In the UFC, Makhachev captured the Lightweight Championship by defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 280, a victory that marked him as a successor to his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov.
He has defended the title three times, twice against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and once against Dustin Poirier, earning recognition as one of the most decorated lightweights in UFC history.
His performance against Poirier at UFC 302 earned him a reported 2 million dollar payout, including bonuses.
Makhachev has also received Fight of the Night honors, notably for his bout against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Fight Night 149, showcasing his ability to compete in high-intensity, competitive matches.
Outside the UFC, Makhachev’s combat sambo career is equally impressive.
He won the Russian National Combat Sambo Championship in the 74 kg division in 2014 and 2016, qualifying for the world championships.
In 2016, he claimed gold at the World Combat Sambo Championship, defeating Bulgaria’s Valentin Benishev 7-0 in the final.
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