Islam Makhachev
UFC 2015–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 94.0
Scouting report
Top control, trip takedowns, and southpaw counter-striking carried Islam Makhachev to the UFC lightweight title and the sport's pound-for-pound number-one ranking. Hailing from Makhachkala, Dagestan, and trained under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Makhachev defended the belt against elite champions. His grappling is underpinned by an 89 Wrestling rating, 92 Fight IQ, and 96 Cardio.
Peak ratings
By edition
Makhachev embarked on his rise between 2018 and 2019, knocking out Gleison Tibau in 57 seconds in Boston, submitting Kajan Johnson with an armbar in Calgary, defeating Arman Tsarukyan in a grappling contest in St. Petersburg, and outpointing Davi Ramos at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. His Combat Sambo trips, takedowns, and top control are reflected in an 94 Wrestling and 90 Cardio.
In 2021, Makhachev submitted Drew Dober with an arm-triangle at UFC 259, tapped Thiago Moises in a Las Vegas main event, and submitted top-ranked Dan Hooker with a kimura in 2:25 at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi. His top rides, submission transitions, and chain wrestling justify his 96 Wrestling and 92 Cardio.
Makhachev reached undisputed status between 2022 and 2024, submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi to win the UFC Lightweight Championship, defending his title twice against Alexander Volkanovski in Perth and Abu Dhabi with a head kick knockout, and submitting Dustin Poirier with a D'Arce choke at UFC 302 in Newark. His grappling, improved boxing, and championship stamina are reflected in an 98 Wrestling and 87 Boxing.
Draft Islam Makhachev into your build
Islam Makhachev enters the pool on any spin landing on lightweight between 2018 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are our own, built from independent research and from how Islam Makhachev is regarded by the MMA community, with the EA Sports UFC games used only as a starting baseline for the scale. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Islam Makhachev's real-world abilities. See the disclaimer below.