UFC News: Islam Makhachev Receives Highest Civilian Honor by the Head of Dagestan

Islam Makhachev has been awarded a civilian award from the government of Dagestan for his contribution to the glorification of Dagestan on the world stage. The UFC lightweight champion, of course, is coming off defending his 155-pound title for the third time since he became champion two years ago. After an exciting fight, Makhachev masterfully caught Dustin Poirier in a D’Arce choke in the final round of their UFC 302 bout to be tied with the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov for the most title defenses in the UFC’s most competitive division.

In addition, he has overtaken Khabib Nurmagomedov’s 13-fight winning streak with his victory over ‘Diamond’ last week. As he returned home to Dagestan after the victory, he was awarded the Order of Honor of the Republic of Dagestan, 3rd degree, by Dagestan’s Head of Government in a ceremony at the latter’s office. The champ was given a medal to commemorate the honor he received for admirably representing Dagestan at the biggest stage of MMA.

The award Makhachev has received is the highest provincial civilian one given by the Dagestani government and brings him into an exclusive club with the likes of ‘Khabib’, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and wrestling maestro Aleksandr Karelin.

This is not the first medal the Makhachkala native has received from the Russian Republic’s government. After he defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in 2020 to become the champ, he was given the Dagestani Sports Ministry’s highest honor, the ‘Sali Suleiman’ medal. And the AKA gym member is two steps away from another, perhaps even more esteemed achievement, which will make him immortal in the history of the sport.

Islam Makhachev has two wins from the most consecutive wins in UFC history

Makhachev now stands on the cusp of another achievement. With his victory over Poirier, he officially has fourteen consecutive wins in the UFC. He trails only Anderson ‘Spider’ Silva, who holds the record at 16 wins in a row in the UFC, and Kamaru Usman, who is second with 15 consecutive wins.

And Makhachev will have a chance to equal Usman if he wins his next fight. Which will not be an easy affair given that he is facing Arman Tsarukyan. The official #1 lightweight title contender, the Armenian, is one of the most promising prospects in the stacked 155-pound division.

In addition, Tsarukyan already fought the Dagestani champ five years ago in the former’s first appearance in the UFC. With age and athleticism on his side, the 27-year-old will bring his formidable grappling skills as well as one-punch knockout power to the octagon when the two face each other. The exact date of a contest between the two Casucus-origin fighters is as of yet unknown. But there is a good chance the two will meet in the octagon before the year ends.