The story of Islam Makhachev is not merely that of a champion fighter. It is a saga rooted in the harsh, rugged mountains of Dagestan, shaped by discipline, humility, and a brotherhood which transcended sport.
His rise from obscure beginnings to the throne of the UFC’s most competitive division reflects the resilience of a man forged in combat, guided by faith, and mentored by legends. Unlike most of his peers, Islam Makhachev is calm under pressure, avoids trash talk, and refuses to gloat in victory.
These traits are not performative but ingrained, the result of a cultural upbringing that values restraint, respect, and purpose. Dagestan has long produced warriors, and Islam Makhachev would become one of its most refined exports.
Today, bsgistnews chronicles Islam’s journey through every detail of his personal life, athletic development, title reign, and cultural significance, while also predicting what lies ahead in his evolving legacy.
Early Life
Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev was born on October 27, 1991, in the town of Makhachkala, the capital of the Russian Republic of Dagestan. However, he spent much of his formative years in the small mountain village of Burshi, where life was as physically demanding as it was socially disciplined.
The environment of Burshi was one of tough winters, minimal luxuries, and daily challenges that conditioned young boys to be strong from an early age. Islam Makhachev, like many of his peers, grew up hauling wood, herding animals, running up hills, and doing makeshift strength training that included lifting rocks and sprinting through difficult terrain.
From his earliest years, Islam was steeped in the culture of the Lak people, one of the many ethnic groups native to Dagestan. He grew up speaking the Lak language in addition to Russian and was deeply influenced by the community’s values of humility, honor, and responsibility. The expectations placed on boys in Burshi were not only physical but also moral; to misbehave was to bring dishonor to one’s household.
Religion also played a significant role as well, with Islam embracing his Muslim faith as both a spiritual compass and a source of strength throughout his life. In Burshi, the mosque was a center of community life, and Islamic teachings shaped how children treated elders, approached challenges, and perceived success.
Though removed from the conveniences of urban life, Islam’s village upbringing taught him the essence of simplicity and resilience. His parents, particularly his father, worked hard to maintain a modest lifestyle that emphasized hard work over luxury.
Islam Makhachev would later speak about how observing his parents’ daily sacrifices inspired him to stay grounded, even as his global fame grew. He did not have dreams of fighting under bright lights as a child; his goal as a kid was simple; to be strong, respected, and to bring pride to his people.
Family and Faith
Islam Makhachev comes from a tightly knit family where each member played a role in molding his identity. His father worked as a laborer and driver, while his mother ran a local café and remained active in the domestic and religious upbringing of the children.
One of the most significant relationships in Islam’s life was his bond with Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of Khabib Nurmagomedov and a legendary figure in Dagestani combat sports. Abdulmanap recognized the potential of Islam Makhachev early on and brought him under his mentorship. He taught him not only combat sambo and wrestling but also discipline, control, and mental endurance.
Islam was never the most outspoken or flashy among Abdulmanap’s protégés, but his seriousness and consistency made him stand out. The two developed a close relationship, and Islam has often credited Abdulmanap for much of his growth both inside and outside the cage.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, himself a future UFC Hall of Famer, became more than just a training partner. He was a friend, mentor, and older brother figure to Islam. The two trained together relentlessly in Dagestan and later at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California.
Their bond grew stronger through shared values, religious commitment, and the weight of carrying Dagestan’s expectations into the global sports arena.
When Abdulmanap passed away in 2020 due to complications from COVID-19, Khabib retired shortly after, but vowed to ensure Islam would reach the top. He has since served as Islam’s coach and cornerman, continuing his father’s legacy through the younger fighter.
Faith remains an anchor in Islam’s personal and professional life. He is a devout Muslim who prays five times a day, fasts during Ramadan even while training, and keeps halal dietary practices. He rarely speaks about his religious beliefs in great detail, not out of secrecy but because he views them as personal. However, he consistently credits his faith for his mental clarity, resilience, and sense of purpose.
Early Career
Islam Makhachev’s entry into combat sports was inevitable given his environment, but the path of his early career was defined by rapid technical mastery and competitive success. As a teenager, he trained in judo, sanda, and freestyle wrestling before fully committing to combat sambo, a hybrid Russian martial art that combines judo throws, wrestling, and submission grappling.
Under Abdulmanap’s coaching, Islam’s progress was meteoric. He won the Russian national sambo championship in 2014 and later clinched gold at the 2016 World Combat Sambo Championships, defeating his Bulgarian opponent with a dominant 7–0 scoreline.
His combat sambo record was nearly flawless, and he became widely respected in Russia and Eastern Europe for his ground control and strategic mind. During this time, he also dabbled in regional MMA circuits, starting with M-1 Global. His professional MMA debut came in 2010, and he won his first several fights through submissions and technical superiority.
Islam Makhachev’s decision to enter the UFC in 2015 was not just a personal ambition, it was also a calculated move by Abdulmanap and Khabib, who believed that Islam had the potential to carry Dagestan’s reputation into a new era. His UFC debut against Leo Kuntz ended in a second-round submission and introduced him to a global audience.
He did suffer one setback in his second fight, a controversial loss to Adriano Martins due to a knockout, but he rebounded quickly and began an unbeaten run that would stretch for years.
Even before he became a titleholder, Islam Makhachev was widely regarded as one of the most dangerous fighters in the lightweight division. He was often avoided by higher-ranked opponents due to his suffocating grappling and the absence of financial reward in fighting a relatively unknown but elite opponent.
This led to years of frustration, where he had to settle for less-visible fights, but he remained patient, knowing that his time would come.
Championship Glory and UFC Dominance
Islam’s long-awaited title shot came in October 2022 at UFC 280, where he faced Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight championship. Oliveira was on an impressive run himself, having finished fighters like Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier.
Many viewed the fight as a coin toss, but Islam Makhachev made a clear statement. He dominated Oliveira on the ground and submitted him in the second round with an arm-triangle choke, a technique he had perfected under Abdulmanap’s tutelage.
Winning the title was not just a personal triumph; it was the fulfillment of Abdulmanap’s vision and the symbolic passing of the torch from Khabib to Islam. He celebrated the victory with humility, thanking his coaches, teammates, and God before dedicating the belt to the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
His title defenses further solidified that reputation. He faced Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight champion, in a rare champion-versus-champion bout. Although the fight was close, Islam Makhachev retained his title via unanimous decision. In subsequent defenses, he submitted Dustin Poirier in the fifth round and dispatched Renato Moicano with clinical efficiency in the first round.
Islam’s dominance in the lightweight division is not merely statistical. It is as a result of a style of fighting that neutralizes opponents’ strengths while imposing his will. His cardio, timing, ground control, and ability to avoid damage are hallmarks of his approach. Unlike some champions who rely on knockout power or flashy submissions, Islam dismantles opponents with methodical precision, a style that mirrors the ethos of Dagestani combat philosophy.
He has now defended his title more times than his predecessor Khabib Nurmagomedov and stands alone as the most dominant lightweight champion in UFC history. Yet, true to form, Islam Makhachev has not allowed this success to alter his demeanor. He remains soft-spoken, hardworking, and deeply loyal to his team and values.
What’s Next for Islam Makhachev
In a historic and career-defining decision, Islam Makhachev has officially vacated the UFC Lightweight Championship in mid-2025 to pursue new challenges in the welterweight division. After dominating the 155-pound class with multiple successful title defenses, Makhachev is now setting his sights on becoming a two-division world champion.
The UFC has already moved swiftly to fill the void left by Islam’s departure. A title bout between former champion Charles Oliveira and current featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria has been scheduled for UFC 317. The fight is expected to crown the next undisputed lightweight champion, and it represents a new era for the division that Islam reigned over with calculated dominance.
For the first time in years, contenders like Tsarukyan, Gamrot, and Poirier can breathe knowing the most suffocating force at 155 has moved on.
Makhachev’s move to welterweight is no minor shift. The 170-pound division includes larger, stronger opponents, and the current champion Jack Della Maddalena is no easy target. Yet Islam has expressed full confidence in his ability to adjust.
His speed, fight IQ, and elite grappling are expected to translate well at welterweight, and he is already bulking up in preparation for the superfight. The date is not yet official, but the match-up between Islam and JDM is expected to be one of the biggest UFC fights of the year.
Should Islam Makhachev succeed, he would become one of the few fighters in UFC history to win undisputed championships in two different weight classes. But more than belts, this move is about legacy. Having cleaned out lightweight, he now seeks greatness in another domain. In a sport where few dare to risk their throne, Islam Makhachev has chosen challenge over comfort.
Regardless of what comes next, Islam’s approach will remain unchanged. He is driven not by fame or wealth but by excellence, loyalty, and the desire to inspire. Whether he stays at lightweight, conquers welterweight, or ventures into middleweight, one thing is certain: Islam Makhachev is not done rewriting history.
