Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev is a Russian professional mixed martial artist and former sambo competitor. He competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is the current UFC Lightweight Champion.
Here you will know Islam Makhachev’s net worth, earnings, prize money, professional career, wife, and more here.
Islam Makhachev’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev |
| Date of Birth | October 27, 1991 |
| Age | 33 |
| Education | Studied Physical Education & Sports at Dagestan State University |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight Class | 155 lbs (Lightweight) |
| Turned Pro | February 12, 2011 |
| Net Worth | $6 million (estimated) |
| Salary/Career Earnings | Disclosed fight purses plus bonuses |
| Marital Status | Married (2021) |
| Children | Three (one daughter, two sons) |
| @islam_makhachev | |
| @MakhachevFight |
Early Career
Islam Makhachev grew up in the village of Burshi in Dagestan, where he began martial-arts training at age seven under the legendary Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. He first learned taekwondo before moving into sanda and then transitioning to combat sambo.
By 2014 he had won Russia’s national combat sambo title at 74 kg and earned a spot at the World Championships in Japan, only to be sidelined by a heart-rhythm issue that required radiofrequency ablation treatment.
After recovery, he reclaimed the national sambo crown in 2016 and captured gold at the World Combat Sambo Championship that same year. His record in Sambo set the stage for his debut in mixed martial arts promotion M-1 Global, where he scored a first-round knockout in February 2011 and compiled an 11–0 run that attracted UFC interest.
Professional Career
Makhachev signed a four-fight deal with the UFC in October 2014 and debuted at UFC 187 in May 2015, submitting Leo Kuntz in the second round. He suffered his lone career loss to Adriano Martins at UFC 192 later that year but rebounded with a 10-fight win streak.
His ground-and-pound mastery and smothering top control carried him to a title shot after Charles Oliveira vacated the lightweight belt, and Makhachev secured the gold with a second-round submission at UFC 280.
Since becoming champion he has successfully defended the title four times, most recently choking out Renato Moicano in the opening round of UFC 311. Along the way he earned status as the UFC’s number one pound-for-pound fighter and cemented his reputation as Khabib Nurmagomedov’s spiritual successor.
Wife
Makhachev married in April 2021, but out of respect for Dagestani traditions he has never publicly revealed his wife’s name or face. Videos from the ceremony show UFC stars like Khabib Nurmagomedov in attendance, yet the bride remained veiled.
The couple has three young children—an eldest daughter followed by two sons—and Islam often says that thoughts of home and family keep him motivated between training camps.
He has mentioned in interviews that his plan is to retire from competition in a few years so he can focus on raising his children, reflecting the value he places on privacy and family life.
Islam Makhachev’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Islam Makhachev’s net worth is estimated to be $6 million.
Fight Purses
| Date | Opponent | Event | Base Salary | Win Bonus | PPV Payout (est) | Performance Bonus | Sponsorship | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/23/2015 | Leo Kuntz | UFC 187 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $4,000 | – | – | $24,000 |
| 10/3/2015 | Adriano Martins | UFC 192 | $10,000 | $0 | $4,000 | – | – | $14,000 |
| 9/17/2016 | Chris Wade | UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson | $12,000 | $12,000 | $4,000 | – | – | $28,000 |
| 2/11/2017 | Nik Lentz | UFC 208 | $16,000 | $16,000 | $4,500 | – | – | $36,500 |
| 1/20/2018 | Gleison Tibau | UFC 220 | $16,000 | $16,000 | $4,500 | – | – | $36,500 |
| 7/28/2018 | Kajan Johnson | UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 | $20,000 | $20,000 | $6,000 | – | – | $46,000 |
| 4/20/2019 | Arman Tsarukyan | UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik | $30,000 | $30,000 | $6,000 | $50,000 | – | $116,000 |
| 9/7/2019 | Davi Ramos | UFC 242 | $30,000 | $30,000 | $6,000 | – | – | $66,000 |
| 3/6/2021 | Drew Dober | UFC 259 | $48,000 | $48,000 | $5,000 | – | – | $151,000 |
| 7/17/2021 | Thiago Moisés | UFC Vegas 31 | $90,000 | $90,000 | $6,000 | – | – | $186,000 |
| 10/30/2021 | Dan Hooker | UFC 267 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $11,000 | – | – | $211,000 |
| 2/26/2022 | Bobby Green | UFC Vegas 49 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $11,000 | – | – | $211,000 |
| 10/22/2022 | Charles Oliveira | UFC 280 | $250,000 | $250,000 | $32,000 | – | – | $532,000 |
| 2/11/2023 | Alexander Volkanovski | UFC 284 | $1,000,000 | $0 | $400,000 | $50,000 | $42,000 | $1,492,000 |
| 10/21/2023 | Alexander Volkanovski | UFC 294 | $1,600,000 | $0 | $850,000 | $50,000 | $42,000 | $2,542,000 |
| 6/1/2024 | Dustin Poirier | UFC 302 | $1,500,000 | $0 | $200,000 | $100,000 | $42,000 | $1,842,000 |
Career Statistics
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 28 |
| Wins | 27 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Knockout Victories | 5 |
| Submission Victories | 13 |
| Decision Victories | 9 |
| Title Defenses | 4 |
| Pound-for-Pound Rank | No. 1 |
FAQs
1. What is Islam Makhachev’s background in combat sports?
He began taekwondo at age seven in Dagestan, transitioned to sanda and freestyle wrestling, then trained in combat sambo under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, winning Russian national titles in 2014 and 2016.
2. How many times has Makhachev defended his UFC lightweight title?
He has defended the UFC lightweight championship four times, setting a new record in January 2025 with his fourth successful defense at UFC 311.
3. What is Islam Makhachev’s professional MMA record?
His record stands at 27 wins and one loss, with victories coming by a mix of knockouts, submissions, and decisions.
4. Who serves as Makhachev’s primary mentor in his MMA career?
He is primarily guided by former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at American Kickboxing Academy, refining his grappling and pressure-fighting techniques under Khabib’s tutelage.
5. Which major sambo championships has Makhachev won?
He captured the Russian National Combat Sambo title at 74 kg in both 2014 and 2016, then claimed gold at the 2016 World Combat Sambo Championship.
