Islam Makhachev remained the lightweight king at UFC 302 but he isn’t just satisfied with being the best fighter at 155-pounds....
The UFC returns to "Fight Island" as Abu Dhabi's Yas Island plays host to one of the biggest UFC pay-per-views of 2023, with two late changes at the top of the card turning an exciting lineup into a can't-miss night of fights at the Etihad Arena.
Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski arrives in Abu Dhabi. Lightweight champ Islam Makhachev melds basketball with Sambo. Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev do intense workouts, then have a virtual sitdown with Chael Sonnen.
Islam Makhachev's coach Javier Mendez is expecting another lengthy battle when the UFC lightweight champion faces featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski in a short-notice rematch at UFC 294, but said that, when considering the matchup, his man holds all the aces.
Champ Alexander Volkanovski shares his motivation. Johnny Walker makes animal friends. Khamzat Chimaev goes hard in S&C. Magomed Ankalaev and Said Nurmagomedov train together. Kamaru Usman arrives on short notice. Champ Islam Makhachev plays soccer.
Khamzat Chimaev and foe Kamaru Usman are all systems go – as usual. Champ Alexander Volkanovski reacts to a surprise second chance. Johnny Walker looks to make a statement; Usman packs like a pro. Champ Islam Makhachev trains with legend Khabib.
Islam Makhachev has a new opponent for UFC 294, with the reigning UFC lightweight champion set to face reigning UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in a champion-versus-champion rematch in Abu Dhabi.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev may have his sights set on double-champ status after UFC 294, but his head coach admits that he'd love to see his charge settle some unfinished business first.
The top of the fight card for the UFC's return to Abu Dhabi now has two blockbuster fights.
Islam Makhachev remained the lightweight king at UFC 302 but he isn’t just satisfied with being the best fighter at 155-pounds....
Arman Tsarukyan has been an under-the-radar contender in the UFC lightweight division for some time now. But he said now is the time to break cover and face the champion for a second time, this time on even terms.
Charles Oliveira’s first-round finish of Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 delivered a statement of intent to reigning champ Islam Makhachev, and the Russian’s coach admitted he was impressed with what he saw.
Lightweight contender Beneil Dariush hopes to share the Octagon with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev sooner rather than later, but he admitted he couldn’t help but be frustrated at the Russian’s recent callout of welterweight king Leon Edwards.
Islam Makhachev edged Alexander Volkanovski to retain his UFC lightweight title after a gripping five-round battle at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia.
The two championship bouts at the top of the fight card at UFC 284 were officially rubber-stamped after all four of the fighters involved made championship weight in Perth.
Islam Makhachev certainly isn't easing himself into life as the undisputed UFC lightweight champion. Rather than contenting himself with a title defense against a top 155-pound contender, the newly-crowned champion has bigger goals in his sights.
Islam Makhachev doesn’t want to rest on his laurels, and he and his mentor have a grand plan for pound-for-pound supremacy.