Islam Makhachev: A Career Built on Work, Pressure and Quiet Resolve
Islam Makhachev’s early career didn’t resemble the usual tale of a future superstar. Nothing about those first years hinted at a fast climb or an easy road. His progress came slowly, often through stretches that felt heavier than they should’ve been. Each step demanded patience, and he learned early that rushing anything wouldn’t help. He stayed calm when results took time and never tried to skip the hard parts.
Back then he trained in modest, crowded gyms where no one filmed sparring sessions or predicted greatness. The people around him simply saw another focused athlete putting in the work. Yet those quiet years turned out to be the foundation of his career. Endless rounds on the mats, the same drills repeated day after day, long trips to small tournaments – that routine shaped him far more deeply than any early spotlight ever could. Now, many sports platforms, including SpinBetter, look back on this slow growth and use it as an example of how persistence only becomes noticeable after many years spent in the shadows.
The Sambo Years
Before MMA became his main focus, Makhachev built his base in combat sambo. The sport shaped his sense of balance and the way he moves on the ground. But those early years weren’t smooth. As a young competitor he was knocked out in the opening round of the World Combat Sambo Championship. For someone who expected more from himself, that loss hit hard and forced him to rethink how badly he wanted to continue.
He later said that defeat took the air out of him, but it also left behind a promise he kept repeating to himself. One day he would return and win the world title. From that point on, much of his training carried that personal mission.
The following years were mixed with progress and frustrating setbacks. A health issue involving his heart once forced him off a flight to a tournament. Doctors advised caution. But he came back, step by step, and eventually reached the moment he had imagined years earlier. In 2016 he entered the World Combat Sambo Championship quietly, without publicity. He was already under UFC contract at the time and traveled on his own. The risk didn’t stop him. He won the gold medal he had promised himself long ago, closing a chapter that had started with a painful loss.
Entering the UFC
Joining the UFC looked like the beginning of a clean chapter, yet his first seasons in the promotion turned out heavier than expected. The debut was solid, the kind that usually builds confidence, but the next fight cut that momentum short. Adriano Martins caught him early, and the loss made people wonder whether Makhachev would ever break into the elite. Not long after, he faced a suspension he believed was undeserved. It kept him out for months, left him without rhythm, and stalled any chance to rebuild his name.
When he returned, he faced a different obstacle. Many ranked fighters simply did not want to accept a bout with him. At that point he was dangerous but not well-known. A loss to him offered no reward. Accepting the fight meant a high risk with minimal visibility. So the refusals kept coming.
During this period he won quietly. One opponent at a time. One camp after another. The streak slowly stretched, and although the wins didn’t attract huge attention at first, the number eventually grew too large to ignore. By the time he had ten straight victories, the conversation changed. No one could argue that he lacked merit for a title opportunity. He repeated in several interviews that the Green fight did not “give him” a title shot; the entire body of work did.
Beating the Best of the Best
Islam’s title fight with Charles Oliveira became a real checkpoint in his career. Oliveira arrived with an eleven-fight streak, a rebuilt style, and a habit of finishing opponents who were supposed to give him trouble. Most observers expected a long and tactical fight. Instead the evening turned into a quiet demonstration of control. Islam dictated the rhythm, switched from striking to grappling without forcing anything, and walked out with the lightweight belt.
His first title defense raised the pressure even more. Volkanovski came in with a perfect UFC record and years of control at featherweight, holding the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. Many expected his speed to give Islam trouble, but the opposite happened. The fight became one of the clearest signs of Makhachev’s level, as he ended another long winning streak on the biggest stage.
Their rematch added to that legacy. Before him, only Khabib had beaten three pound-for-pound opponents in a row. Makhachev went further, earning three straight wins over fighters who were all ranked in the top three at the time.
Rewriting Lightweight Records
His championship run reshaped the lightweight record book. He built:
- the most title defenses in lightweight history;
- the most wins in lightweight title fights;
- the longest winning streak any lightweight has ever achieved.
He is also among the top finishers in the division and one of the most successful submission specialists in UFC history. The variety of his submissions, five different finishing techniques – reflects the depth of his grappling background.
Only Anderson Silva has a longer win streak in the UFC than Makhachev’s current run. Throughout that streak, Islam entered every fight as the favorite, which rarely happens at the elite level.
Leading the Russian MMA Scene
Among Russian fighters his numbers stand alone. He has:
- more UFC wins than any other Russian athlete;
- more finishes;
- more submissions;
- more title wins;
- the longest winning streak.
He is also the first Russian to become a two-division UFC champion, joining the small group of fighters worldwide who have managed that.
How He Fights
Makhachev is often referred to as a grappler. He can switch from striking to a body lock in a single movement. He can pass guard without forcing a scramble. He can hold someone down with pressure alone or jump on a submission if the opening appears.
His style includes:
- Exceptional grappling built on balance and timing;
- Top control that drains opponents;
- Clinch work that disrupts rhythm;
- Precise kicks used to manage distance;
- Constant mixing of phases that keeps opponents unsure.
This blend is why many fighters say preparing for him feels like preparing for two different opponents at once.
Opening Up to Fans
For a long time, many fans saw him only through his fights. Khabib once said Islam should show more of who he really is. Over time Makhachev did exactly that. In recent years he has become more relaxed in interviews and more humorous on camera. His jokes come naturally, often emerging from training stories or quick remarks at media events. Those moments helped fans see him not as an unreachable champion but as a grounded, approachable person.
