Islam Makhachev’s dominance in the UFC has been nothing short of extraordinary, but his journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Last year, the lightweight champion faced a significant hurdle in the form of injuries that tested both his physical and mental resilience. Makhachev notably recovered from a hand injury sustained after his grueling five-round battle against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302—a fight where he had to dig deep to secure the victory.

Fast forward to UFC 311, and the narrative was entirely different. This time, Makhachev made quick work of Renato Moicano, showcasing the precision and efficiency that have become his trademarks. Not only did he defend his title dominantly, but he also emerged from the bout unscathed, a welcome relief for both the champion and his family. His mother, known for her concern about the toll fighting takes on her son, will undoubtedly be pleased to see him walk out of the Octagon without a scratch.

Islam Makhachev sends a selfie as proof to his mother after UFC 311 fight

Islam Makhachev once again demonstrated why he reigns supreme as the king of the lightweight division with a flawless performance at UFC 311. From the opening bell, the Dagestani champion dictated the pace, keeping Moicano on the defensive and searching for answers. The decisive moment came when Makhachev capitalized on an opening, locking in a D’Arce choke that forced Moicano to tap in the first round.

This victory marked a historic milestone—his record-breaking fourth title defense—further solidifying his legacy as a dominant champion. Amid all the triumph, Makhachev didn’t forget to share an update with one of his biggest supporters—his mother. Although she takes immense pride in his achievements and the recognition he brings to their community in Dagestan, she avoids watching his fights due to the stress. Instead, during his bouts, she prefers to take a calming walk through their village, even though she already knows the outcome.

In a heartwarming moment captured by Red Corner MMA on Instagram, the 33-year-old champion was seen sending his mother a selfie after the fight. With a smile, he said, “I need to send mom a photo because she doesn’t watch my fights.” It’s a touching reminder that, despite being one of the most feared fighters in the world, Makhachev remains grounded, valuing family and tradition as much as his championship legacy.

Luckily for the Dagestani fighter, he walked out of the fight without any injuries. However, it seems he has already found himself a worthy challenger in Ilia Topuria. The featherweight champion has shown his interest in Makhachev in hopes of becoming a dual-division champion. It seems that Makhachev wasn’t able to impress ‘El Matador’ at all.

Ilia Topuria is confident that he will make easy work of Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev may have cemented his legacy as the greatest lightweight in UFC history after successfully defending his title for the fourth time at UFC 311. However, a potential challenger has emerged in the form of 145lbs god-king champion Ilia Topuria, who has made some bold statements about facing Makhachev in the near future.

After the fight when Joe Rogan asked Makhachev if he had a specific opponent in mind for his next fight, the champion responded by saying it was up to Dana White to decide. Shortly after the bout, featherweight king Ilia Topuria took the time to respond on X and made some bold claims about the champion.

He tweeted, “Islam if I want to, I can finish you. If I want to, I can knock you out. I’ll make it look easy. See you soon.” Makhachev has already made it clear that he is not interested in fighting the Spaniard at all. During the pre-fight UFC 311 presser he said, “He’s a good skills fighter, but I don’t want to give him a chance.” Who do you think Islam Makhachev will face next in his career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.