Islam Makhachev’s creatine discovery changes everything for his welterweight debut

Islam Makhachev has just started experimenting with creatine. The former UFC lightweight champion has discovered something that has been in the supplement aisles for decades: creatine really works. Islam Makhachev, who is now preparing for his welterweight debut against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, revealed during an ESPN interview that he is using the supplement for the first time in his career and seeing real results.

The creatine experiment that Islam Makhachev has You feel like a new fighter

To go from lightweight to welterweight you have to gain significant mass Makhachev has been candid about how tough the process has become. The weight gain battle intensified during his first training camp, where he began working with significantly larger sparring partners and completely overhauled his training regimen. Then creatine came into the picture.

“I’m taking creatine for the first time in my life, almost every day. It’s the first supplement where I actually see changes. It helps with recovery, helps with weight gain, gives strength.”

A fighter who has dominated the lightweight division for years suddenly discovers that one of the most studied, foundational supplements actually delivers on its promises.

What makes this particularly interesting is his emphasis on recovery. Bee Lightweight, Makhachev revealed he was operating at around 60-70% capacity due to the brutal weight savings. The former champion had just 30 hours to recover between the bowl and the fight, a factor he believes compromised his performance throughout his reign.

“It’s very difficult to gain weight if you train twice a day. I want to weigh about 87 kg, and during the fight week about 83 kg. Losing weight will be very easy.”

By moving up to welterweight and supplementing properly, Makhachev expects a dramatically improved recovery, especially in the championship rounds where his opponents have historically been able to find opportunities. Whether this translates into a win against Della Maddalena remains to be seen.​

Creatine

Creatine monohydrate improves athletic performance through increased phosphocreatine storage. For UFC fighters who train twice a day, this means better strength gains and faster recovery between sessions. The supplement increases muscle water content and supports growth while maintaining fitness, which is crucial when moving up weight classes. Studies document 5-15% improvements in strength and power, margins that matter at championship level. Creatine also reduces muscle damage markers and accelerates energy system recovery after intense sparring. For Makhachev who is moving up to welterweight while gaining mass, creatine efficiently bridges the gap between weight gain and performance maintenance.