While Javier Mendez admits that Arman Tsarukyan is deserving of a title shot against Islam Makhachev, he recently explained why the Dagestani prefers a matchup against Leon Edwards.
Former opponents Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev have nothing but respect for each other. Makhachev ended Oliveira’s lightweight title reign with a dominant submission win at UFC 280 in 2022.
Islam Makhachev defended the lightweight title and his pound-for-pound status in the main event of UFC 302 against Dustin Poirier. Controversy erupted after the press conference of UFC 302 as CEO Dana White argued Jon Jones was the best.
There a lot of fun fights available for UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev, but none hold a candle to his coach's ultimate dream fight. American
Eddie Alvarez is confident that Arman Tsarukyan can beat Islam Makhachev after witnessing lightweight champion’s latest title defense. Alvarez was in attendance at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for UFC 302, where Makhachev put his lightweight strap on the line against Dustin Poirier in the headliner.
Islam Makhachev provided fight fans with a classic title fight as he successfully defended his belt against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. It took determination, grit, and some incredible skills for the champion to hold his position as the best.
Islam Makhachev might just be the best fighter in the world right now. The Russian was back in action in the main event of Saturday's UFC 302 card at…
Coach, Javier Mendez could not be more elated. His pupil Islam Makhachev just defended his lightweight title yet again, this time against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.
With UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (26-1) running through most of his 155-pound challengers, some have called for former champ Conor McGregor (22-6) to be the next challenger for the 32-year-old Russian should he get past Michael Chandler on June 29.
Following his fifth-round submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 over the weekend, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (26-1) was widely compared to his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0).
SI’s MMA Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes runs every week. Dustin Poirier accomplished nearly every single objective he set out to do at UFC 302. Unlike his bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019, Poirier unleashed a noticeably improved takedown defense and ability to get back up from the bottom in his lightweight title bout against Islam Makhachev.
This past Saturday night in the main event of UFC 302, the lightweight title was on the line. The champion Islam Makhachev (26-1) was looking for his third successful title defense when he took on former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier (30-9).
Islam Makhachev has confirmed he struggled with a staph infection in the buildup to UFC 302. UFC 302: Islam Makhachev Talks GOAT Aspirations, Dispels Staph Infection Rumors The UFC rumor mill churned when pre-fight photos of the night's headlining fighters appeared to reveal a staph infection on Makhachev's leg.
In a fight filled with non stop action, something had to finally give. In the end, it was Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) that made Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) tap out in the 5th round at UFC 302 at the Prudential Center.
After watching Islam Makhachev dominate Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, president and CEO Dana White still believes that Jon Jones is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Islam Makhachev might have a ready-made contender in the lightweight division awaiting him, but that isn’t the option that intrigues him the most. After
The end result was what many observers would have predicted. Islam Makhachev got his hand raised and defended his UFC lightweight championship with a submission win over Dustin Poirier.
The MMA world is still trying to regain their collective breath after seeing the inspiring performances from the fighters at UFC 302 from the Prudential Center.
Although UFC CEO Dana White intends to book Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan for the lightweight title next, given Tsarukyan's 9-3 stretch over his last 12 outings, the UFC lightweight champion said Saturday night that he has bigger goals to achieve before he eventually retires.
Order Now! UFC 302 “Makhachev vs. Poirier” Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ Islam Makhachev might have gotten a tougher fight than he bargained for from Dustin Poirier, but that test turned out to be quite profitable for the Dagestani champion.
Islam Makhachev held on to his lightweight belt on Saturday night, getting Dustin Poirier to tap out in the fifth round of their main event bout at UFC 302 in Newark, N.J.
The main card at UFC 302 will get under way at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The card features a light heavyweight bout between two southpaws in Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier.
Islam Makhachev doesn't consider himself a GOAT fighter, yet. UFC 302: Conor McGregor Cooks Dustin Poirier, Islam Makhachev in All-Time Rant A fighter's most coveted achievement in the UFC is double-championship status, holding two titles in separate divisions simultaneously.
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