ISLAM MAKHACHEV

Islam Makhachev, a Russian combat sambo expert, currently holds the UFC Welterweight title. He honed his craft at the American Kickboxing Academy, focusing on developing world-class grappling, suffocating top control, and an increasingly dangerous striking game. Having previously reigned as the lightweight champion, he has established his reputation by defeating elite competitors including Charles Oliveira, Renato Moicano, Dustin Poirier, and Alexander Volkanovski.

With a stellar professional record of 29-1-0, he enters this matchup riding a seventeen-fight winning streak. His latest appearances saw him secure unanimous decision victories over Jack Della Maddalena and Ian Machado Garry in August 2026. This recent run follows a pair of brabo choke submission victories over Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano, preceded by a head-kick knockout of Alexander Volkanovski.