UFC 263 is all set to be one of the best UFC events of the year. There are many epic clashes scheduled for the night and one such fight is between Drew Dober and Brad Riddell. This fight promises to be one of the toughest of the night as both fighters would love to move up the lightweight division. Dober is coming into the fight on the back of a loss against Islam Makhachev. The pair faced each other at the UFC 259 event, Dober lost that fight via a 3rd round submission. However, prior to his loss against Makhachev, Dober was in great form. The fighter had won his last three UFC fights via KO. Dober did not have the best of starts to his UFC career, however, his victory over Jason Gonzalez at UFC 203 showcased his class. The fighter has an MMA record of (23-10) with 10 of his victories coming via KO/TKO. Watch This Story: Five Crazy Details You Missed From Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/boxing-news-five-crazy-details-you-missed-from-floyd-mayweather-vs-logan-paul/] Brad Riddell [https://www.ufc.com/athlete/brad-riddell] is relatively younger and has a much shorter MMA career. The fighter is just 3 fights old in the UFC and has won all of them via decision. Riddell’s latest victory came at the UFC 253 event against Alex da Silva Coelho. Riddell’s MMA record (9-1) is great as he has suffered just one loss in his professional MMA career. DREW DOBER VS BRAD RIDDELL: ANALYSIS Dober is coming into the fight just 3 months after his defeat against Islam Makhachev. Therefore, many fans were surprised that the fighter was willing to get back into action so soon. Whereas Riddell is coming back after almost 8 months and would have had much more time to prepare. [https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-news-ufc-263-suffers-a-blow-as-fighter-involved-in-an-accident/] While Dober [https://www.ufc.com/athlete/drew-dober] did suffer defeat in his last fight, that was against one of the best fighters in the UFC. Therefore, we can not judge the fighter based on that loss. However, Riddell is in significant form and it would come as a shock if he loses to Dober. Dober’s best option would be to stop Riddell early on in the fight. As if the fight goes down to the wire, Riddell will definitely hold the edge. Final Prediction: Brad Riddell wins by unanimous decision. 

Drew Dober and Brad Riddell are set to face other at the UFC 263 event. Who do
you think will win this epic lightweight clash?

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<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>Islam Makhachev 2025: Record, Net Worth, Next Fight, and Salary</b></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Who is Islam Makhachev?</strong></h2>
Islam Makhachev came to the UFC as one of the young vibrant talents. The Dagestani fighter made his promotional debut in 2015 against Leo Kuntz at the undercard of his teammate Daniel Cormier's coronation as UFC champion.
<figure class="jsx-b9c5e7fc3c08d611">
<div class="image-loader_es-image-loader-aspect-ratio__X6IHP"><img id="img-tag-node--img-loader-0" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-907840404.jpg" /></div>
<figcaption>via Getty</figcaption></figure>
Makhachev has grown up and trained with the legend <a class="es-hyperlink" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/khabib-nurmagomedov/" target="_self" rel="noopener">Khabib Nurmagomedov</a>. As of January 2025, Makhachev is the UFC lightweight champion. The young fighter is proficient in <a class="es-hyperlink" href="https://www.allthebestfights.com/makhachev-vs-tsarukyan-full-fight-video-ufc-fn-149/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Combat Sambo, </a>where he was the 2016 World Champion.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Islam Makhachev's early life</strong></h2>
Makhachev was born in Makhachkala, Burshi, Republic of Dagestan, Russia. Born on 27 October 1991, the Dagestani had humble beginnings, to a father who used to grow tomatoes and worked odd jobs as a driver and to a housewife mother, who ran a small cafe. Both their names have not been disclosed to the public. He also has an older brother, Kurbanismail. The family belongs to the Lak ethnicity, speaks the Laki language, and are devout followers of Islam.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Â Islam Makhachev's wife and kids</strong></h2>
Amidst speculations owing to rumors and a video that showcased the UFC fighter at what seemed like a wedding reception, we now have confirmation that Makhachev is a married man. Although not much is known about team Khabib's protege, reportedly, the fighter got hitched on April 8, 2021. Other than this and a snap of him and his bride in a white gown, not much is known about the wife.

Several notable UFC stars were also in attendance, such as Khabib Nurmagomedov, Zubaira Tughukov, and so on. Apart from this, as is the case for most Dagestani fighters, apart from an interview wherein he mentioned about his daughter, no other information is present about his kid.

While in conversation with Megan Olivi, Makhachev disclosed, "<em>Couple of months, I have been thinking about my daughter. I just want to come home."</em>
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Islam Makhachev's net worth 2024</strong></h2>
As of 2024, Makhachev has an estimated net worth of over $6 million. His net worth is expected to rise significantly, considering his ascent to success and phenomenal title reign.

He has UFC career earnings of $5 million according to <a class="es-hyperlink" href="https://mmasalaries.com/islam-makhachev-career-earnings-net-worth-and-info/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA Salaries</a>. His biggest paycheck came from his last fight against Alexander Volkanovski, where he earned a whopping $2,500,000.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center"><strong>Islam Makhachev's career timeline</strong></h2>
Makhachev signed a four-fight contract when he made his smacking debut in the UFC. As aforementioned, his first opponent in the UFC was Leo Kuntz, whom he defeated in a thrilling match via submission in the second round of the bout.

Another of his greatest fights was with Davi Ramos at UFC 242. The Russian proved himself and won the match via a unanimous decision.

Makhachev's only loss in UFC was against Adriano Martins at?UFC 192?on October 3, 2015. Martins dominated right from the start and claimed the bout via a first-round TKO.

In his recent run, Makhachev defeatedÂ <a class="es-hyperlink" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/thiago-moises/" target="_self" rel="noopener">Thiago Moises</a>Â on July 17, 2021, as he claimed a magnificent submission (rear-naked choke) victory in the fourth round.

Later he took onÂ <a class="es-hyperlink" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/dan-hooker/" target="_self" rel="noopener">Dan Hooker</a>Â on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267 and won the fight via first-round submission. His next win came against Bobby Green, who stepped up to face the Dagestan-based athlete on short notice. Next, he facedÂ <strong>Charles Oliveira</strong> for the UFC lightweight title and won via a 2nd round submission.

At UFC 284, the Russian fighter successfully defended his title againstÂ <a class="es-hyperlink" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/alexander-volkanovski/" target="_self" rel="noopener">Alexander Volkanovski</a>. Thereafter, for their second bout in UFC 294, the Dagestani continued his reign by securing a win with a head kick and hammer fists in the first round itself!

In his last fight, Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier in the main event for the UFC PPV 302, by submission.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Islam Makhachev's partnerships and endorsements</strong></h2>
Makhachev has made several endorsement deals over the years. He has partnered up with huge companies, such asÂ <a class="es-hyperlink" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUCTnKhM5g2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wahed Invest</a>,Â <a class="es-hyperlink" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COScTJGKMDA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gorilla Energy Drink</a>, andÂ <a class="es-hyperlink" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CERB-LKBjLg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Al Hadaya</a>.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Islam Makhachev's career stats and records</strong></h2>
The Dagestani fighter is definitely one of the best young lightweight fighters and has achieved quite a bit in his professional career. Makhachev holds a proud 26-1-0 MMA <a class="es-hyperlink" href="https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Islam-Makhachev-76836" target="_blank" rel="noopener">record</a>. Furthermore, the fighter has claimed two Fight of the Night UFC bonuses.

In 2016, he also won the World Combat Sambo Championship. With 'The Eagle's' retirement, the entire UFC fraternity is looking up to him to take his legacy forward.
<figure class="jsx-b9c5e7fc3c08d611">
<div class="image-loader_es-image-loader-aspect-ratio__X6IHP"><img id="img-tag-node--img-loader-0" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-907840282.jpg" /></div>
<figcaption>via Getty</figcaption></figure>
The fighter currently holds a staggering record of 25-1-0. Makhachev, with his Sambo skills, is a great grappler having a 90% takedown defense and 62% takedown accuracy. Moreover, he also has excellent defensive skills on the feet and on the ground.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: 400">Â <strong>Islam Makhachev's major achievements and awards</strong></span></h2>
<h3>Others</h3>
<ul>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">2016 FIAS World Combat Sambo Championships Gold Medalist</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">Combat Sambo Federation of Russia - Russian National Gold Medalist (2014, 2016 at -74 kg)</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">Grappling - UWW Russian Grappling Federation - North Caucasian Federal District Gold Medalist</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Ultimate Fighting Championship</h3>
<ul>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">UFC Honors 2023 Fight of the Year vs. Alexander Volkanovski</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">Fight of the Night (Two times)</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">Performance of the Night (Two times)</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">Highest significant strike accuracy in UFC Lightweight division history</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">2023 Fighter of the Year</span></li>
</ul>
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center"><strong>Islam Makhachev's Titles</strong></h2>
<ul>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">UFC Lightweight Champ (One time, current)</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400">Three successful title defenses</span></li>
</ul>
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">How to contact Islam Makhachev?</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Instagram</span></td>
<td>https://www.instagram.com/islam_makhachev/?hl=en</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Twitter</span></td>
<td>https://twitter.com/x/migrate?tok=eyJlIjoiL01BS0hBQ0hFVk1NQT9yZWZfc3JjPXR3c3JjJTVFZ29vZ2xlJTdDdHdjYW1wJTVFc2VycCU3Q3R3Z3IlNUVhdXRob3IiLCJ0IjoxNzE2OTQxNzU5fbFDi52qXPp%2FQ3tNzBS5Gws%3D</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Facebook</span></td>
<td>NA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Website</span></td>
<td><b>NA</b></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Nickname</td>
<td>NA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Age</td>
<td>33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Born</td>
<td>9-27-1991</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nationality</td>
<td>Russian</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a class="es-hyperlink" href="https://www.ufc.com/athlete/islam-makhachev" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hometown</a></td>
<td>Dagestan Republic, Russia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Trains At</td>
<td>American Kickboxing Academy (AKA)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Height</td>
<td>5' 10"</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Reach</td>
<td>70.5"</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Leg Reach</td>
<td>40.5"</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Eagles MMA Team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Weight/Division</td>
<td>155 lbs / Lightweight</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MMA Record</td>
<td>26-1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Active Win Streak</td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Net Worth</td>
<td>$6 Million</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Endorsements</td>
<td>Wahed Invest, Gorilla Energy Drink, Al Hadaya</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev, the UFC lightweight champion, has had an inspiring journey from Dagestan to MMA stardom. Know what makes him a fan favorite.

UFC 263: Drew Dober vs Brad Riddell: Prediction and Analysis

Drew Dober vs Brad Riddell: Analysis