ISLAM MAKHACHEV

Hailing from Russia, Islam Makhachev honed his craft at the American Kickboxing Academy. The southpaw utilizes a foundation in combat sambo, pairing persistent wrestling and grappling with precise, methodical striking. His professional journey led him to secure the lightweight title during 2022. Subsequently, he moved up in weight to capture a second championship belt, establishing the lengthiest winning streak within the history of the promotion.

Makhachev enters his appearance at UFC Freedom 250 holding a professional ledger of 28 victories and a single loss. His most recent performances include a unanimous decision win over Jack Della Maddalena in late 2025. Before that encounter, he secured consecutive submission finishes against Renato Moicano and Dustin Poirier via brabo choke. This winning run also features two prior triumphs against Alexander Volkanovski, achieved through both a knockout and a decision.