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Islam Makhachev Next Fight: 3 Opponent Options For The Lightweight King, Including Belal Muhammad

Originally posted on Ringside Intel | By Jason Burgos | Last updated Jan 20, 2025 2:12 AM ET

The Islam Makhachev next fight news should arrive in the next few months. Until then, we look at three potential opponents for his UFC return and recap his latest win at UFC 311.

Who will Islam Makhachev next fight be against?

In January, Makhachev had the difficult task of getting an opponent change on a day’s notice. However, despite taking a big risk by facing Renato Moicano he dominated him en route to another submission win. It has set up several intriguing options for his return fight. But his most likely next opponent will either be Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, or Belal Muhammad.

Reschedule Rematch: Arman Tsarukyan was Makhachev’s original UFC 311 opponent before a back injury forced him out of the fight. It would make sense for the company to just rebook the fight with few worthy challengers available.
Do Bronx: Former champion Charles Oliveira has worked his way back into title contention. If the company wanted more of a money fight, a rematch between the two would not be a surprising route to go.
Chase For More Gold: Makhachev has not hidden his desire to move up in weight to compete for a second title. With Belal Muhammad’s dance card open, a super-fight between the two next is a real possibility.

Islam Makhachev vs. Renato Moicano recap

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Islam Makhachev entered his bout with Renato Moicano at UFC 311 a huge favorite. And he showed why in just over four minutes by making the Brazilian tapout in Round 1.

What Happened: Over the first minute of the bout Moicano showed that he deserved respect by winning some exchanges on the feat. However, that made the champ realize he needed to take the fight to a place that favored him and grounded his foe.

After a few minutes of working his ground game, Makhachev was able to lock up a d’arce choke and make Moicano tapout at 4:05 of the first round.

The Fallout: Makhachev was expected to dominate the talented lightweight and he did exactly that at UFC 311. After taking the bout on short notice and doing the company a favor the champ has a lot of leverage in choosing his next opponent.

What’s Next? Islam Makhachev will likely have one more lightweight title defense before moving on to a chance at the welterweight title. Chances are he faces Charles Oliveira in his UFC return.

What makes Islam Makhachev so popular?

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Islam Makhachev was the heir apparent to UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, during his run in the company he has built the type of resume where a debate could be made he has surpassed the success of his iconic friend.

Not only is Islam Makhachev one of the very best fighters at 155 pounds but he is considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

What is Islam Makhachev’s record in the UFC?: 27-1 (5 KO, 13 submissions)
Islam Makhachev height: 5-foot-10
Islam Makhachev weight: The Russian competes in the UFC’s lightweight division, which has a max weight of 156 pounds in non-title fights.
Islam Makhachev loss: His lone defeat was by technical knockout to Adriano Martins at UFC 192 in 2015.
Along with having won UFC gold, Makhachev also won a Russian Sambo national championship before competing in MMA.

Islam Makhachev net worth

The measure of a fighter’s success is the dollars and cents they stack up from a career in combat sports. Due to landing some big sponsorships in recent years, Islam Makhavhev’s net worth is believed to be around $6 million.

This article first appeared on Ringside Intel and was syndicated with permission.

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