Islam Makhachev is a Russian professional mixed martial artist known for his elite wrestling, combat sambo, submission skills, and dominant run through the UFC.
As of August 2026, Makhachev holds a professional record of 29-1 with 13 submission victories and five knockout wins. He is the current UFC Welterweight Champion, a former UFC Lightweight Champion, and one of the longest-reigning pound-for-pound leaders in the sport.
Makhachev has won 17 consecutive UFC fights and is tied with Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in UFC history. He can take sole possession of the record when he faces Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330.
Islam Makhachev Fighter Information
| Stats | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev |
| Nickname | No official nickname |
| Born | October 27, 1991 |
| Birthplace | Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | 5’10” (178 cm) |
| Reach | 70.5 in (179 cm) |
| Division | Welterweight |
| Record | 29-1-0 |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Team | Eagles MMA / American Kickboxing Academy |
| Coach / Trainer | Khabib Nurmagomedov and Javier Mendez |
| @islam_makhachev |
What Is Islam Makhachev Known For?
Islam Makhachev is best known for three things:
His dominant wrestling and grappling
His long UFC winning streak
Becoming a champion in two UFC weight divisions
He first became UFC Lightweight Champion by submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.
The Dagestani star later moved up to welterweight and defeated Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision at UFC 322 to win a second UFC title.
That victory made Makhachev one of the few fighters in UFC history to become champion in two divisions. It also extended his winning streak to 16 consecutive UFC victories.
Does Islam Makhachev Have a Nickname?
Islam Makhachev does not use a widely recognized official fighting nickname.
Many UFC fighters are heavily promoted through nicknames, but he is normally introduced simply by his full name.
His name has become recognizable enough that he has never needed a nickname to build his identity in the sport.
Islam Makhachev’s Background
Makhachev was born in Makhachkala, Dagestan, and grew up in the village of Burshi.
He began training in martial arts at a young age, first learning taekwondo before moving into sanda, wrestling, combat sambo, and mixed martial arts.
He grew up around Khabib Nurmagomedov and trained under Khabib’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Before becoming a professional fighter, Makhachev attended Dagestan State University and studied physical education and sports. He also worked as a security guard while continuing his martial arts training.
His background in combat sambo became the foundation of the fighting style that later carried him to the top of the UFC.
Who Trains Islam Makhachev?
Islam Makhachev trains with Eagles MMA and American Kickboxing Academy.
His main coaches include former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and longtime MMA coach Javier Mendez.
He was originally trained by Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who helped create the wrestling-heavy system used by Khabib, Islam, and several other successful fighters from Dagestan.
The team is known for hard training, strong wrestling, disciplined preparation, and fighters who remain calm under pressure.
What Is Islam Makhachev’s Fighting Style?
Makhachev fights from a southpaw stance and uses a combination of combat sambo, wrestling, clinch control, submissions, and careful striking.
He is especially dangerous once he gets an opponent to the ground.
The UFC champion uses takedowns, trips, body locks, and pressure against the cage to control where the fight takes place. Once he gains top position, he slowly advances until he finds a submission or controls the round.
He has won fights with several different submissions, including:
Arm-triangle chokes
D’Arce chokes
Rear-naked chokes
Kimuras
Armbars
Triangle chokes
Although he is mostly known for grappling, Makhachev has also developed effective striking. His first-round head-kick knockout of Alexander Volkanovski showed that he is dangerous on the feet as well.
What Is Islam Makhachev’s MMA Record?
Islam Makhachev has a professional MMA record of 29 wins and one loss.
His victories include:
5 wins by knockout or TKO
13 wins by submission
11 wins by decision
His only professional loss came against Adriano Martins at UFC 192 in October 2015.
Martins won by first-round knockout. Makhachev has not lost since that fight.
Who Has Islam Makhachev Beaten?
Makhachev has defeated several former champions, title challengers, and highly ranked contenders.
His most notable victories include:
Jack Della Maddalena
Renato Moicano
Dustin Poirier
Alexander Volkanovski twice
Charles Oliveira
Dan Hooker
Arman Tsarukyan
Bobby Green
Drew Dober
Thiago Moises
His victory over Oliveira made him UFC Lightweight Champion, while his win over Della Maddalena made him UFC Welterweight Champion.
How Did Islam Makhachev Become UFC Champion?
Islam Makhachev became UFC Lightweight Champion in October 2022.
He faced Charles Oliveira for the vacant title at UFC 280 and won by second-round arm-triangle choke.
The Russian champion then defended the lightweight title against Alexander Volkanovski twice, Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano.
After four successful title defenses, he moved up to welterweight.
In November 2025, Makhachev defeated Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision to become the UFC Welterweight Champion.
What Records Does Islam Makhachev Hold?
Makhachev holds or shares several major UFC records.
His accomplishments include:
Current UFC Welterweight Champion
Former UFC Lightweight Champion
Four successful lightweight title defenses
Five UFC lightweight title-fight victories
Four consecutive lightweight title defenses
17 consecutive UFC victories
Longest winning streak in UFC lightweight history
13 career submission victories
Former Combat Sambo World Champion
Two-time Russian National Combat Sambo Champion
He is currently tied with Anderson Silva at 16 consecutive UFC victories.
A win in his next fight would give him the longest winning streak in UFC history by himself.
Who Is Islam Makhachev Fighting Next?
Islam Makhachev is scheduled to fight Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330.
The fight will take place on August 15, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Makhachev will be defending the UFC Welterweight Championship for the first time.
Ian Machado Garry enters the fight with a 17-1 professional record and will have a major height advantage. Garry is 6’3″, while the champion is 5’10”.
However, Makhachev believes his wrestling and ground game will be the difference.
What Has Islam Makhachev Said About Ian Machado Garry?
Islam Makhachev has said he plans to take more risks and look for a finish against Ian Machado Garry.
During a recent interview, he said Garry is dangerous on the feet because of his height, reach, and striking.
However, Makhachev questioned Garry’s ground game and said he expects to create finishing opportunities once he completes a takedown.
He also dismissed Garry’s claims that he could beat him on the ground.
The champion said many opponents talk confidently before fighting him but change their approach once the fight begins.
What Has Islam Makhachev Said About Retirement?
Islam Makhachev has denied reports that he plans to retire after UFC 330.
He called the retirement talk fake news and said he wants to continue fighting, defending his championship, and breaking records.
Makhachev said he enjoys being champion and believes the feeling of being the best fighter in the world cannot be replaced outside the sport.
He has also discussed trying to reach 20 consecutive UFC victories before eventually walking away.
Why Islam Makhachev Stands Out
Many fighters are strong wrestlers, but Makhachev stands out because he can control fights in almost every area.
He can dominate opponents with wrestling, win through submissions, survive five-round fights, and knock out high-level strikers.
His calm approach is also an important part of his success. He rarely wastes energy, does not panic under pressure, and usually makes careful decisions throughout a fight.
With only one loss, championships in two UFC divisions, and one of the longest winning streaks in MMA history, Islam Makhachev has already built one of the strongest careers of his generation.
A victory over Ian Machado Garry would move him even closer to being considered one of the greatest fighters in UFC history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Islam Makhachev?
Islam Makhachev is a Russian mixed martial artist and the current UFC Welterweight Champion. He is also a former UFC Lightweight Champion and a former Combat Sambo World Champion.
How old is Islam Makhachev?
He is 34 years old. He was born on October 27, 1991.
How tall is Islam Makhachev?
Makhachev is 5 feet 10 inches tall, which is approximately 178 centimeters.
What is Islam Makhachev’s reach?
His reach is approximately 70.5 inches, or 179 centimeters.
What is Islam Makhachev’s record?
He has a professional MMA record of 28 wins and one loss.
Who defeated Islam Makhachev?
Adriano Martins is the only fighter to defeat him. Martins won by first-round knockout at UFC 192 in 2015.
Is Islam Makhachev related to Khabib Nurmagomedov?
No. They are not brothers. They are longtime friends, training partners, and teammates who grew up in Dagestan.
Is Islam Makhachev still lightweight champion?
No. He is the current UFC Welterweight Champion and a former UFC Lightweight Champion.
Who is Islam Makhachev fighting next?
He is scheduled to fight Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15, 2026.
What is Islam Makhachev’s fighting style?
His fighting style combines combat sambo, wrestling, grappling, submissions, clinch control, and technical southpaw striking.
How many submissions does Islam Makhachev have?
He has 13 professional submission victories.
How many UFC fights has Islam Makhachev won in a row?
Makhachev has won 17 consecutive UFC fights.
