“Send him 2-3 years Dagestan and forget,” became a viral quote from Islam Makhachev, symbolizing the region’s tough training culture. Now, after getting a firsthand experience by training with Makhachev, former UFC champion Demetrious Johnson seems ...

Before the two title fights, Makhachev entered the Octagon for his toughest test to date on paper against the No. 6-ranked Dan Hooker. The Dagestani evidently did not get the memo about the step up in competition he was facing, as Makhachev ran through Hooker in under two and a half minutes.

Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) relinquished his UFC lightweight title for a move up to 170 pounds. He is expected to challenge Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who dethroned Belal Muhammad to claim the welterweight title at UFC 315.

Dana White recently discussed a potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria matchup and hinted that it is still a possibility.

Jack Della Maddalena is fully confident he will beat Islam Makhachev when they end up fighting as he says the size will be the difference.

Makhachev closed as a -375 favorite at BetMGM largely as a result of his wrestling, but it was his striking and his toughness, his ability to take a punch and survive, that led him to the finish.