Islam Makhachev says winning a second UFC title didn’t feel as euphoric as capturing the title for the first time.
The Russian fighter captured the 155-pound championship in dominant fashion by knocking down Charles Oliveira and then forcing the submission artist to tap out with an arm-triangle choke at UFC 280.
Makhachev says the UFC 280 moment can’t be compared to anything else.
Islam Makhachev admits that becoming a two-division champion didn’t fit the UFC 280 feel
After four successful title defenses at lightweight, Islam Makhachev decided to move up in 2025 in search of two-division glory. For his welterweight debut, he faced then-champion Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.
The title fight was a one-sided affair, all thanks to Makhachev’s superior ground game. After five rounds of pure dominance, he earned a unanimous decision victory and joined the UFC’s roster of two-division champions.
However, the feeling at UFC 280 was much more powerful and euphoric than at UFC 322, even with two straps on his shoulder. During a recent sit-down with Arena Fight TV, the P4P king admitted as much:
“I remember the emotion I had then [Charles Oliveira] ticked. It’s crazy. It is the moment when you understand: well done. Everything is ready. How many years did you do everything you could to become a UFC champion? It’s there. It’s the moment. It’s the emotion I don’t think I’ve ever felt before, and I never will feel again.”
He added:
“If I become a double champion, it’s the same, it’s not the same. The first belt is the biggest thing in my life.”
Watch Islam Makhachev’s comments below:
Islam Makhachev is expected to make his first defense of his welterweight title after Ramadan. Because he is now a 170 pounder, he doesn’t have to deal with drastic weight cuts and therefore wants to compete more often.
The Russian fighter has also expressed interest in competing in the UFC White House event. He recently stated that he is game against “El Matador”” on June 14 if the promotion approves the idea.
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