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Islam Makhachev's Signature Fighting Style Breakdown: Techniques, Strategies, and Key Strengths
- kennyherrholz
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
Islam Makhachev has become one of the most talked-about fighters in the UFC lightweight division thanks to his unique and effective approach inside the octagon. His style combines high-level wrestling, elite grappling, and improving striking, making him a tough challenge for any opponent. Fans are drawn to how he can control fights with his strong ground game while still threatening with submissions and precise shots.
Makhachev’s fighting style is built on a base of sambo and wrestling, skills developed in his home region of Dagestan. He blends these techniques with smart tactics, often dominating top jiu-jitsu fighters and proving his versatility as seen in his recent championship matches. For those interested in a detailed breakdown of Makhachev’s techniques, this article on his fighting style is a great resource.
Whether you follow MMA closely or are new to the sport, understanding how Makhachev approaches each fight provides insight into why he has become a top UFC lightweight champion.
Key Takeaways
Makhachev’s style uses a strong mix of wrestling and grappling.
He adapts his strategy to control fights and overcome tough opponents.
Training and smart tactics are key to his success as a UFC lightweight champion.
Foundations of Islam Makhachev’s Fighting Style
Islam Makhachev’s approach in MMA blends his deep background in wrestling and sambo with guidance from Khabib Nurmagomedov and years in the UFC cage. His abilities as a grappler, his tactical growth under mentorship, and his professional experience all support his success as UFC lightweight champ.
Wrestling Roots and Sambo Influence
Islam Makhachev grew up training in freestyle wrestling in Dagestan, a region known for producing elite wrestlers. This disciplined environment built his strong foundation for takedowns and top control.
In addition to wrestling, Makhachev also trained in sambo, a Russian martial art that combines throws, submissions, and ground grappling. His background in sambo has been key to his submission wins and control during fights. Sambo lets him mix judo-style throws and strong ground holds, making him dangerous at close range.
He uses these skills to lock opponents down and attack for submissions, often overwhelming other fighters with seamless transitions between striking, takedowns, and grappling. His style is more judo-influenced than some other fighters from Dagestan, and that gives him unique throws and clinch skills.
Mentorship from Khabib Nurmagomedov
Makhachev trains closely with Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former UFC lightweight champ and one of MMA’s most accomplished grapplers. Khabib’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, also trained both fighters together in Dagestan.
Through this mentorship, Makhachev learned to pressure opponents with relentless takedowns and control from the top position. Khabib’s approach—constant pressure, calculated ground strikes, and submission hunting—heavily shaped Makhachev’s fight strategy.
This coaching helps Makhachev to stay composed and strategic in the cage. His game plan often mirrors Khabib’s, focusing on tiring opponents out and securing dominant positions round after round. The influence of Khabib’s team is clear in Makhachev’s methodical, risk-averse approach.
Development Through UFC Experience
Since joining the UFC in 2015, Makhachev has steadily improved his all-around skills. Early in his UFC career, he was seen as mainly a grappler. Over time, he added sharp striking and improved his movement to better set up his takedowns.
Key UFC fights pushed him to adapt under pressure and sharpen his tactics against elite competition. He faced opponents with strong submission defense and dangerous striking, which forced him to mix up his attacks and be less predictable.
Training with world-class fighters and learning from high-level matchups made Makhachev a more complete athlete. His ability to combine wrestling, striking, and submissions as UFC lightweight champ shows growth rooted in both experience and strong basics.
Signature Grappling Techniques
Islam Makhachev is known for his technical grappling skills, blending strong wrestling with smooth submissions. His ability to control opponents and find stoppage wins in the UFC comes from a mix of powerful takedowns, dominant positions, and efficient chokes.
Rear Naked Choke Mastery
Makhachev’s rear naked choke is a proven weapon. He uses his wrestling to get behind his opponents, often after wearing them down on the ground. Once he secures back control, he locks in the choke quickly and with little wasted movement.
He keeps his hooks tight and controls the opponent’s arms to stop them from defending. This helps him avoid scrambles and keeps the fight where he is strongest. Makhachev’s placement of the forearm under the chin and his squeezing pressure force many fighters to tap.
Against high-level competition, he stays patient. Sometimes he softens up his opponents with strikes before seeking the submission. These adjustments show why he has several stoppage wins using the rear naked choke in top-level bouts.
Slam and Takedown Variations
Wrestling is at the base of Makhachev’s style. He uses a mix of trips, throws, and classic double-leg shots, making it hard for opponents to defend. Many of his takedowns involve judo-inspired moves, which create big moments and often lead straight into dominant positions.
Makhachev times his entries well, often shooting under punches to take his opponent down. Slams are used both as a way to score and to rattle his opponent. His ability to chain takedown attempts together makes his wrestling especially effective in the UFC.
Once he gets a grip, it is rare for his opponent to escape. The focus on technique over brute force means his slams and takedowns are efficient but punishing.
Control and Positioning Strategies
After a takedown, Makhachev quickly looks for control. He likes to work from top positions, using heavy hips to keep his opponent pressed to the mat. He switches between half guard, side control, and full mount to keep his rival guessing.
Key tactics include:
Pinning arms so opponents cannot defend
Using his legs to trap and limit movement
Applying steady pressure to wear opponents down
This control can force mistakes or create openings for submissions like the rear naked choke. It also helps Makhachev score points and stay safe from damage, giving him a path to more submission and stoppage wins. His ground game is both safe and effective, a big reason for his success.
Striking and Stand-Up Game
Islam Makhachev’s striking uses precise defense and smart timing on the feet. He often lands key combinations and works to avoid damage while setting up takedowns or targeting knockouts.
Effective Defensive Tactics
Makhachev is known for his calm approach and quick reflexes during stand-up exchanges. He slips punches, moves his head off the center line, and uses footwork to limit the openings for his opponents. Against aggressive strikers, he blocks cleanly and maintains a high guard, making it tough to land effective shots.
His bobbing and weaving have become more noticeable over recent fights, an example being his performance against Dustin, where he used slick boxing defense to avoid heavy punches.
Makhachev’s ability to control distance helps him stay out of danger and keep rounds in his favor, which is especially important in close decision fights.
He rarely gets caught out of position and often catches opponents reaching, creating opportunities for counters. This defensive discipline keeps his risk of getting knocked out low and consistently steers fights toward a decision or sets up his offensive attacks.
Striking Combinations and Timing
Makhachev’s striking has developed from simple setups to a more well-rounded game. He uses jabs and straight left hands before mixing in low kicks and body shots. Once his opponent expects a punch, he will feint a strike and level change, blending striking and the threat of a takedown.
His timing on counters stands out, with quick responses to overcommitted attacks. He often lands clean punches after slipping inside, then angles out before his opponent can respond. His improvements in boxing technique let him chain together 2-3 strike combinations and safely move back to defense.
Anytime he rocks or stuns an opponent, he looks for a finish but remains patient, focusing on accuracy rather than wild punches. This method has led to knockouts and set up strong positions if the fight goes to a decision. For more analysis, see breakdowns of his signature striking technique and in-depth striking skills.
Fight Tactics and Adaptability
Islam Makhachev stands out for his flexible strategies, quick thinking in the cage, and his ability to handle fighters across multiple divisions. His approach makes him effective in tough match-ups, and has helped him win by both decision and stoppage.
Game Planning Against Opponents
Makhachev’s preparation always starts with studying his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. He and his team create detailed plans to neutralize danger, like defending against heavy strikers or expert grapplers.
He uses a mix of wrestling, judo throws, and strong clinch work to control the fight’s pace. If he faces a powerful striker, he will often close the distance and force the fight against the cage. For grapplers, Makhachev maintains top control and looks for submissions or ground-and-pound.
Before a match, he also drills techniques that have proven successful in previous fights, adjusting each sequence for whoever he faces next. This planning has led him to many wins, including those decided by unanimous decision, where his tactics leave little doubt among judges.
Adjustments During Bouts
Islam adapts quickly mid-fight when unexpected challenges appear. He can switch from striking to grappling if the first plan is not working. If he gets caught by an opponent’s jab or kick, he changes his stance or movement right away.
He often tries different combinations until he finds what works best. This includes mixing up his attacks, faking takedowns, and looking for openings on the ground. During close fights, his corner guides him with advice between rounds, helping him make smart tactical changes.
Makhachev has earned victories by both split decision and unanimous decision, showing he can edge out tough fights with small adjustments. His ability to adapt quickly makes him hard to beat as a lightweight.
Responses to Different Weight Classes
Makhachev generally fights at lightweight, but he has prepared for a variety of challenges, including potential match-ups with welterweights and discussions about cross-division bouts.
He modifies his training to match the speed and power needed for higher classes, focusing on strength and cardio to handle heavier opponents in a potential heavyweight bout. Against smaller fighters, like those found in a flyweight bout, he sharpens his timing and defense to counter faster attacks.
His technical skills—such as the collar tie, chain wrestling, and ground control—are effective in all divisions, but he is careful to adjust his game plan depending on how much size or speed an opponent brings into the cage. This level of adaptability gives him a strong edge across different weight classes.
Career Highlights Demonstrating Style
Islam Makhachev’s fighting style is shaped by dominating grappling, precise submission attacks, and continued improvements in his striking. He has shown these strengths in a variety of high-profile fights, earning stoppage wins, memorable knockouts, and awards for his performances.
Key Submission Wins
Makhachev’s grappling is his strongest weapon, allowing him to finish fights with a range of submissions. He has several submission wins in the UFC, most notably by arm-triangle choke and kimura. His most recognized submission came when he submitted Charles Oliveira to win the UFC Lightweight title.
In that fight, Makhachev used relentless pressure and positional control to eventually lock in the fight-ending submission. He also submitted Dan Hooker with a kimura in the first round, showing quick execution after a takedown. These submission wins highlight his ability to capitalize on even the smallest opening.
Notable Knockouts
Although best known for grappling, Makhachev has scored knockouts with accuracy and timing. Early in his UFC career, he finished Gleison Tibau with a first-round knockout, landing a clean left hand that proved his striking had become a real threat. More recently, he knocked out Alexander Volkanovski with a left high kick, demonstrating how much his stand-up skills have grown.
Interestingly, Makhachev often uses a single-shot, left high kick rather than throwing it as part of a combination. This was noted by fans who pointed out he never throws a right high kick and prefers isolated kicks, making them surprising and dangerous for opponents, as explained in this Reddit discussion on Makhachev's headkicks.
Fight of the Night Performances
Makhachev has earned “Fight of the Night” honors by showing both resilience and technical skill in close battles. His fight against Arman Tsarukyan tested his cardio and grappling over three rounds, ending in a competitive unanimous decision win for Makhachev. The back-and-forth action displayed how his style adapts under intense pressure.
Another standout is his bout with Dustin Poirier, where both fighters had strong moments before Makhachev secured a stoppage win. In these matchups, he combines smart defense, ground control, and moments of explosive offense. His “Fight of the Night” performances reflect an ability to both survive and attack against top-level competition.
Analyzing Stoppage and Decision Victories
Stoppage wins make up many of Makhachev’s highlights, usually coming from ground-and-pound or technical submissions rather than wild exchanges. In decision wins, he maintains control through cage pressure, takedowns, and precision striking, avoiding unnecessary risks.
His unanimous decision win over Davi Ramos showcased tactical dominance and measured offense. Makhachev’s fight IQ is also clear in split and unanimous decision victories, where he scores points on the ground while keeping opponents from landing damage. This blend of smart striking, control, and well-timed submissions has kept him at the top of the lightweight division, with many victories coming by way of both stoppage and decision.
Training Philosophy and Preparation
Islam Makhachev's MMA success is built on a mix of smart preparation and the strong influence of his skilled teammates. His approach blends intense workouts, technical drills, and a focus on team synergy.
Conditioning and Physical Readiness
Makhachev’s conditioning plan is strict. He includes grappling, wrestling, and striking drills every week. Grappling stands out as a big part of his routine, helping him sharpen transitions and maintain position control during fights. These sessions mix technique with high intensity, pushing his cardio and strength to top levels.
He spends time on both endurance and explosive power. Running, circuit training, and live wrestling rounds are staples in his schedule. Each workout is designed to keep his body ready for long, tough fights in the UFC lightweight division. Flexibility, recovery, and injury prevention also get daily attention.
Sample elements of his conditioning:
Grappling drills: For stamina and skill
Live sparring: Focuses on real fight situations
Strength circuits: Builds explosive power
Team and Partners Influence
Teamwork is central to Makhachev’s preparation. He trains with some of the best fighters under the legendary Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. His entire team plays a direct role in sharpening his skills and mindset for MMA competition. Partners with UFC experience give him a constant challenge and honest feedback.
Makhachev’s camp is known for its discipline and tough training culture. Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is an active training partner, offering both mentorship and high-level sparring. Drilling with elite talent helps Makhachev stay focused and prepared for any style he faces.
Learning from his team’s successes and mistakes, he adapts and evolves his own strategy for every fight. This collective approach makes his training both practical and highly effective for UFC matches. More details can be found on the team’s training influence.
Technical Analysis and Data Insights
Islam Makhachev’s fighting style stands out due to his well-rounded skill set, precision, and data-driven approach. Statistical review and fan analysis reveal clear trends in how he controls his matches and delivers consistent performance at the highest level.
Performance Analytics
Makhachev’s fight record shows a high rate of success through takedowns and positional dominance. He averages over 3 takedowns per fight in the UFC, with a takedown accuracy above 60%. This puts him among the most efficient wrestlers in the lightweight division.
He keeps his striking defense rate close to 65%, which limits his opponents’ ability to land clean shots. When observing his recent events, Islam spends more time in top control than most of his peers, leading to higher ground control stats. This consistent control translates into fewer opponent strikes absorbed per minute.
A breakdown of his last five matches highlights his ability to win through decision or submission, rarely leaving victory to chance. For a more detailed breakdown, see this technical analysis of Islam Makhachev.
Tactical Content Measurement
Analytics for Makhachev’s matches reveal the tactical efficiency in his approach. Data from major events show he attempts more takedowns per round compared to most lightweights. He uses chain-wrestling and strong clinch work to keep opponents off balance.
His submission threat is measured by a high submission attempt rate, aimed at keeping fighters defensive. Fight analysts often chart his rounds using heatmaps, tracking his cage control and movement patterns.
Other key metrics include his ground strike accuracy and pass attempts. These measures show his ability to blend control and damage, making his time in dominant positions even more valuable. For a deeper dive, see this detailed skill analysis of Islam Makhachev.
