Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev, born on October 27, 1991, in Makhachkala, Dagestan, is one of the most dominant fighters in modern mixed martial arts (MMA). Raised in a region known for producing elite combat athletes, he grew up training in wrestling and sambo, influenced by the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, his lifelong friend and mentor​

As an ethnic Lak, Makhachev came from a humble background. His father worked as a driver and a tomato grower, while his mother ran a small café​

From a young age, Islam was drawn to combat sports, starting with taekwondo at age 7 before transitioning to sanda and eventually sambo, a Russian martial art that combines striking and grappling​

Training alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev quickly established himself as a top talent. Khabib once said, “Islam lived next door, and we used to meet at training. We went to the same school and trained in the same gym. Since childhood, we have known each other for almost 20 years”​

Makhachev made his professional MMA debut in 2010 and soon gained recognition after winning the Tsumada Fighting Championship 4. In 2011, he fought in M-1 Global, securing multiple victories and proving himself as a rising star​

In 2015, Makhachev joined the UFC, making his debut at UFC 187, where he defeated Leo Kuntz via submission. Although he suffered an early UFC loss to Adriano Martins, he rebounded with an incredible winning streak. His style—built on elite grappling, powerful submissions, and improving striking—made him a top lightweight contender​

By 2022, Makhachev reached the pinnacle of his career when he defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 to become the UFC Lightweight Champion. He successfully defended his title against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284​

Makhachev has often spoken about his inspiration from Khabib, saying, “I want to be the next Khabib. I want to be like Khabib. Honestly, I want to smash all my opponents like Khabib, too”​

His work ethic, discipline, and strong Dagestani wrestling foundation have helped him dominate the lightweight division. He is also dedicated to helping underprivileged children by promoting martial arts training​

Makhachev continues to solidify his place as one of the greatest lightweights in MMA history. With an elite grappling game, evolving striking, and championship mindset, he has set his sights on moving up in weight to challenge for a second title​

His success has inspired a new generation of fighters from Dagestan, proving that hard work and relentless dedication can lead to greatness.