Islam Makhachev Adds Taekwondo Black Belt to His Already Legendary Combat Résumé
Islam Makhachev’s combat sports résumé just became even more impressive.
He is already a UFC champion. He is a judo black belt. He is widely respected as one of the greatest sambo athletes of his generation. Now, Makhachev has added another achievement to the list: a taekwondo black belt.
For a fighter already known for his grappling, control, discipline, and championship-level skill, this new milestone shows that Makhachev is still adding layers to his martial arts identity.
Makhachev Keeps Building His Martial Arts Legacy
Islam Makhachev has always been viewed as one of the most complete fighters in MMA.
His base is built on elite grappling, sambo, wrestling pressure, and positional control. But what separates him from many opponents is how calm and technical he is in every area. He does not rely on only one weapon. He keeps improving, adjusting, and adding more tools.
A taekwondo black belt adds another interesting detail to his development.
Taekwondo is known for kicks, balance, movement, distance, and timing. Even if Makhachev is still most dangerous through his grappling and control, adding knowledge from another striking art can only make his overall game more complete.
That is what makes this achievement important.
It is not just about a belt. It is about the mindset behind it.
Already a Champion, Still Improving
Some fighters reach the top and slow down.
Makhachev appears to be doing the opposite.
Even after becoming a UFC champion and building a reputation as one of the most dominant fighters in the sport, he continues to grow. That is the mindset of a true martial artist.
A black belt in taekwondo does not erase his sambo roots. It adds to them. It shows that Makhachev is still willing to learn from different disciplines, sharpen his movement, and expand his understanding of combat.
That kind of improvement is dangerous for the rest of the division.
A Complete Fighter With Different Weapons
Makhachev’s success has always come from control.
He can pressure opponents, take them down, hold position, and make them fight his fight. But his striking has also improved throughout his career. He has become more patient on the feet, more confident with distance, and more willing to exchange when needed.
The taekwondo black belt adds another layer to that story.
Fans may not suddenly see Makhachev fighting like a pure taekwondo stylist, but the training can still help with balance, kicking technique, footwork, and timing. In MMA, small improvements can make a big difference.
A better kick.
A better angle.
A cleaner entry.
A sharper reaction.
At the elite level, those details matter.
Islam Makhachev’s new taekwondo black belt is another strong addition to an already elite martial arts résumé.
He is a UFC champion, a judo black belt, and one of the most respected sambo-based fighters in the world. Now, he has added another discipline to his name.
For fans, it is another reminder that Makhachev is not just winning — he is still evolving.
And for future opponents, that may be the most dangerous part.
Islam Makhachev stands as one of the most dominant forces in mixed martial arts history, currently cementing his status as a two-division UFC Champion (Lightweight and Welterweight) and holding the #1 spot in the UFC Men’s Pound-for-Pound (P4P) rankings.
Professional MMA Record: 28-1-0
Makhachev’s highly efficient style relies on a world-class wrestling baseline mixed with historically accurate striking, leading to an incredibly lopsided career record.
Islam Makhachev Record Breakdown
| Result | Total | Method Breakdown |
| Wins | 28 | 13 Submissions, 10 Decisions, 5 KO/TKOs |
| Losses | 1 | 1 KO/TKO (UFC 192 in 2015) |
| Draws | 0 | — |
Key Career Achievements
Elite Stat: Makhachev holds the highest striking accuracy in UFC Lightweight history at over 60%, showing how effectively he controls distance and setups before taking fights to the canvas.
- Two-Division UFC Supremacy: Captured the UFC Lightweight title and subsequently moved up to conquer the Welterweight division with a statement win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.
- Historic Win Streak: Built a legendary 14-fight winning streak in the UFC lightweight division, one of the longest in promotional history.
- Master Submission Specialist: Ranks near the very top of the lightweight division for submission finishes, utilizing a highly versatile arsenal including D’Arce chokes, arm-triangle chokes, and kimuras.
- Pound-for-Pound King: Maintained a firm grip on the UFC’s official #1 men’s pound-for-pound ranking.
- International Sambo Accolades: 2016 Combat Sambo World Champion and a two-time Russian National Champion prior to his global MMA dominance.
Championship Resume & Iconic Wins
- UFC 322 (Nov 15, 2025): Defeated Jack Della Maddalena via Unanimous Decision to claim the Welterweight crown.
- UFC 311 (Jan 18, 2025): Defeated Renato Moicano via 3rd-round D’Arce Choke.
- UFC 302 (Jun 1, 2024): Defeated Dustin Poirier via 5th-round D’Arce Choke in a grueling title defense.
- UFC 294 (Oct 21, 2023): Defeated Alexander Volkanovski via 1st-round KO (Head Kick & Punches).
- UFC 284 (Feb 11, 2023): Defeated Alexander Volkanovski via Unanimous Decision in a P4P super-fight.
- UFC 280 (Oct 22, 2022): Defeated Charles Oliveira via 2nd-round Arm-Triangle Choke to win the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship
