One knockout in 2015 still clouds the reputation of a fighter who hasn’t lost since. This article clears up the confusion around Islam Makhachev’s career, from his only defeat to his current status as a two-division champion.
Record: 28-1-0 · Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) · Weight: 170 lb (77 kg) · Reach: 70 in (178 cm) · Age: 34 (born October 27, 1991) · Stance: Southpaw
Quick snapshot
- Record 28–1 (UFCStats official statistics database)
- Only loss to Adriano Martins at UFC 192 in 2015 (SportsBoom combat sports analytics)
- Current two-division champion (lightweight and welterweight) (CBS Sports major sports news outlet)
- Which opponent will be next and on what date
- Whether he will defend both belts or move up permanently
- 2010 – Professional MMA debut
- 2015-10-03 – Only loss (Adriano Martins, UFC 192)
- 2022-10-22 – Wins lightweight title vs. Charles Oliveira
- 2024 – Wins welterweight title
- Next fight unconfirmed – potential welterweight unification or lightweight defense
Here is the official fighter profile with physical measurements and fight record.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Islam Makhachev |
| Born | October 27, 1991 (age 34) |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Record | 28–1–0 (8 KOs, 11 Submissions) |
| Team | Eagles MMA |
This table shows a fighter with one loss on paper, but the record conceals a decade of dominance — the single blemish happened nine years ago and has not been repeated.
Who did Makhachev lose to?
The loss to Adriano Martins
- Makhachev’s only professional loss came against Adriano Martins at UFC 192 on October 3, 2015 (UFCStats official statistics database).
- Martins caught Makhachev with a straight left hand 1 minute 46 seconds into the first round, scoring a knockout win (SportsBoom combat sports analytics).
- The loss remains Makhachev’s only defeat in 29 professional bouts (ESPN major sports media).
Aftermath of the loss
- Following the defeat, Makhachev went on a remarkable unbeaten streak, winning 13 consecutive fights (Sportskeeda MMA news site).
- He has not lost a single round in his last seven fights, showcasing dominance across both lightweight and welterweight divisions.
Is Makhachev still undefeated?
Undefeated streak since 2015
- Makhachev carries a professional record of 28–1 (CBS Sports major sports news outlet).
- Since the Martins loss, he has won 13 straight fights, including wins over former champions Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Alexander Volkanovski (UFCStats official statistics database).
- He is undefeated as a UFC champion, having successfully defended the lightweight belt three times and captured the welterweight title in 2024 (CBS Sports major sports news outlet).
Makhachev is not technically “undefeated” — he has one loss on his ledger. But in the context of his championship career, he has been unbeaten for nearly a decade. For betting and ranking purposes, that single loss is a statistical footnote.
Who has 0 losses in MMA?
Notable undefeated fighters
- Khabib Nurmagomedov (retired) holds a perfect 29–0 record (Wikipedia open encyclopedia).
- Other current undefeated UFC fighters include featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (career 26–3 – not undefeated) and lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev (12–3). No active UFC champion besides Khabib has retired with a zero in the loss column.
- Makhachev does not have 0 losses — his record contains one defeat, as confirmed by multiple official databases (UFCStats official statistics database).
Has McGregor fought Makhachev?
McGregor vs. Makhachev status
- Conor McGregor has never fought Islam Makhachev (ESPN major sports media).
- McGregor’s last official fight was a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, and he has not fought since due to injury and legal issues.
- A potential matchup has been discussed by fans and analysts, but no contract has been signed, and Makhachev has repeatedly stated he prefers to focus on top‑ranked contenders.
McGregor is the biggest star in UFC history, and a fight with Makhachev would be a massive pay‑per‑view event. But the matchup remains hypothetical. For now, the answer to “Has McGregor fought Makhachev?” is a clear no.
Why does Islam not have the belt?
Islam Makhachev’s championship history
- Makhachev won the UFC lightweight championship on October 22, 2022, by submitting Charles Oliveira (UFC official promotion).
- He successfully defended the belt against Alexander Volkanovski (twice) and Dustin Poirier (UFCStats official statistics database).
- In 2024, he moved up to welterweight and captured a second belt, becoming a two-division champion (CBS Sports major sports news outlet).
Why the confusion?
- The question “why does Islam not have the belt?” likely stems from two factors: some fans still associate the lightweight belt with former champion Charles Oliveira, and others are unsure which weight class Makhachev currently holds the title in.
- Makhachev has held the lightweight belt continuously since 2022 and added the welterweight belt in 2024. He has not been stripped of any title.
Advanced statistics reveal why Makhachev is a nightmare for opponents: elite takedown defense and relentless pressure define his game.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Average fight time | 11:01 |
| Takedown defense | 91% |
| Takedown average per 15 min | 3.1 |
| Submission average per 15 min | 0.98 |
| Striking accuracy (significant strikes) | 485/830 (58.4%) |
| Significant strikes landed per minute | 2.45 |
These numbers show a grappler who is also dangerous on the feet — 58.4% striking accuracy forces opponents to respect his hands, setting up takedowns.
Career timeline
- 2010 – Professional MMA debut
- October 3, 2015 – Only loss to Adriano Martins (UFC 192)
- October 22, 2022 – Wins UFC Lightweight Championship (submission over Charles Oliveira)
- 2024 – Wins UFC Welterweight Championship
- 2025 – Defends welterweight belt (unconfirmed opponent)
Clarity check: what we know vs. what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Record 28–1 (UFCStats official statistics database)
- Loss to Adriano Martins at UFC 192 in 2015 (SportsBoom combat sports analytics)
- Current two-division champion (lightweight and welterweight) (CBS Sports major sports news outlet)
- 13‑fight winning streak since the Martins loss (Sportskeeda MMA news site)
What’s unclear
- Next opponent and date
- Whether he will continue fighting at both weight classes or focus on one belt
- His ultimate place in the pound-for-pound rankings after his welterweight run
What it all means
Makhachev’s resume is almost flawless — one controversial knockout early in his career, followed by a decade of dominance. He has answered every doubt about his takedown defense, striking power, and ability to move up in weight. The only remaining question is how long he can keep both belts. For UFC matchmakers and fans, the choice is clear: the lightweight division’s next big fight needs to deliver Makhachev a worthy opponent, or risk wasting the prime of one of the sport’s most dominant athletes.
en.wikipedia.org, ufc-fr.com, roster.watch, sherdog.com, fr.wikipedia.org, ufcalendar.com, sakrummet.se
Frequently asked questions
What is Islam Makhachev’s fighting style?
He is a sambo and wrestling‑based grappler who applies relentless pressure, mixes elite takedowns with improving striking (UFCStats official statistics database).
Who is Islam Makhachev’s next opponent?
As of early 2025, no official opponent has been announced. Potential candidates include welterweight contenders or a lightweight title rematch with Charles Oliveira.
How many title defenses has Makhachev had?
He has defended the lightweight title three times (vs. Volkanovski twice, and Poirier) (CBS Sports major sports news outlet).
Is Islam Makhachev a striker or grappler?
Primarily a grappler — 11 of his wins come by submission. However, his striking accuracy of 58.4% shows he is more than a one‑dimensional wrestler (CBS Sports major sports news outlet).
What is Makhachev’s ethnicity?
He is of Lezgian and Russian descent, born in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia.
How tall is Islam Makhachev?
5 ft 10 in (178 cm) (UFCStats official statistics database).
What team does Makhachev train with?
Eagles MMA, the same camp that produced Khabib Nurmagomedov (UFC official promotion).
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.