Islam Makhachev - trash talks and Quotes

“You know, it's one of those matchups where... Only in wrestling could Cormier handle Jones. Jon Jones is good at wrestling, but wrestling is Cormier's element. He's an Olympic—level guy. That's very high level”

– via the Red Corner MMA channel giving his honest preview of the potential Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling match between his AKA teammate and his P4P rival.

“You know, it's one of those matchups where... Only in wrestling could Cormier handle Jones. Jon Jones is good at wrestling, but wrestling is Cormier's element. He's an Olympic—level guy. That's very high level”

– via the Red Corner MMA channel giving his honest preview of the potential Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling match between his AKA teammate and his P4P rival.

“I have one loss, and I’ve always had a change in my head to close it out and get a rematch, and I know that’s no longer possible. But Umar has a good chance”

– via Ushatayka says that Umar (who lost to Merab at UFC 311 in January 2025) has the luxury of a "redemption arc" that Islam was never granted.

“I think they're all trying to be like Conor McGregor but no one comes close to him”

– via Ushatayka, discussing the "McGregor Blueprint" and its influence on current stars

“The UFC needs fighters they can sell, who can make money. And Rinat would just go out there and win. The UFC doesn't need guys who just beat everyone and stay quiet. Learn English, learn how to sell yourself, learn how to be interesting to the public”

– via Ushatayka , reacting to the news of Rinat Fakhretdinov being released from the UFC.

“If Shavkat comes back, I don't think anyone will give him a title shot right away... The guy hasn't fought in over a year. He probably needs to win a fight first to earn a shot at the belt”

– via Ushatayka, questioning the title credentials of the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov due to his long layoff.

“I think it will be even easier for Petr in a third fight, because he knows what to expect from Merab. He knows how to stop his wrestling and impose his own wrestling. It'll be even more easy. You just have to show up in the same shape, with the same mindset.”

– via Ushatayka, explaining why Petr Yan is the clear favorite for a potential trilogy bout against Merab Dvalishvili.

“If we’re talking about pure offensive power, maybe Topuria has more. But as a counter puncher, McGregor was better. His timing, the way he waited and set things up. I’m a southpaw myself, and he’s a southpaw too. The way he would catch opponents with the left hand while making them miss. That was on another level”

– via Ushatayka, breaking down the technical differences between Ilia Topuria and Conor McGregor.

“He has some kind of hatred towards us. But I think we'll sort it out. Either before the fight somehow, or maybe in the future... He's unhappy about something. We need to figure out what it is”

– Ushatayka, addressing the personal animosity coming from Ilia Topuria and his camp

“Sometimes khabib says he doesn’t want to fight me in abu dhabi because of too many factors of distraction, i mean abu dhabi, and probably the white house event will be no different. The first ever tournament there, we don’t know what it’s going to be like. We are on the level where everything should be planned in good time. Say my fight in Australia, there were a lot of things we had to take care of during the event. A lot of issues we had to deal with for the first time. That’s why the fight turned out to be so hard. Maybe that’s the reason Khabib said it. We don’t know what it’s going to look like, and he doesn’t want us to be there”

– via Red Corner MMA, stating that Khabib Nurmagomedov does not want him to fight at the White House due to the lack of planning information and potential distractions, drawing parallels to the logistical issues they faced ahead of his first fight in Australia.

“I said i wanted to fight kamaru usman next. Although the media doesn't believe in this fight, as i can see. But in my opinion, usman would steamroll through these up and comers like morales, prates, the striker. Those guys haven't been checked yet. I think usman would be the hardest fight for me, and in terms of media, we could build it up like a former champion, the most title defenses in my weight division. We could promote this fight and make it fun to watch.”

– via Red Corner MMA, claiming that Kamaru Usman would be his "hardest fight" at welterweight and that the fight makes the most sense from a promotional perspective, given Usman's history

“[joaquin] buckley was one of the contenders. Usman simply took him apart, and everybody has already forgotten about this guy. But if buckley won, he would've been one hundred percent contender number one”

– via Red Corner MMA, claiming that Kamaru Usman would be his "hardest fight" at welterweight and that the fight makes the most sense from a promotional perspective, given Usman's history

“The organization may not like it, but they make more and more fights that i don’t understand. Of course, i think Arman should’ve gotten the title shot. Arman is not going to fight anytime soon. Whoever wins between Gaethje and Pimblett gets a title shot at Topuria, meaning one more year of layoff for Arman”

– via Red Corner MMA expressing confusion and frustration with the UFC's matchmaking, specifically stating that Arman Tsarukyan should have received the title shot and that the winner of Gaethje vs. Pimblett getting the shot means another year of waiting for Tsarukyan.

“It's not just about studying a language. When our coach was still alive, we used to have an english teacher who came 3—4 times a week. Our coach knew that in order to achieve something nowadays, you have to be good at promoting yourself. That's why everybody was learning english. But now the guys are too lazy”

– via Red Corner MMA, reflecting on the importance of learning English, stating that his late coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, pushed the team to learn it because he understood that modern fighters need strong self promotion skills to succeed.

“It will be a big mistake to follow this kind of hype. Chanko hasn't got enough experience to handle all this publicity and recognition. It's a mistake to chase it all, and it can play a dirty trick on your future career. Chanko needs to work hard in the gym, and as for media recognition, it will come on its own.”

– via Red Corner MMA, sharing advice for Magomedov Zaynukov ("Chanko"), warning him that chasing media hype without enough experience is a mistake that could hurt his career, and advising him to focus on hard work in the gym.

“Merab, you are one of the greatest to ever step into this cage. Congratulations. Petya you deserve it #UFC323”

– reached to Ufc 323 bout against Petr Yan

“Merab, you are one of the greatest to ever step into this cage. Congratulations. Petya you deserve it #UFC323”

– reached to Ufc 323 bout against Merab Dvalishvili

“It would have to be a very good offer for me to start cutting back to 155 [pounds], because I'm not young in this sport anymore, and every weight cut takes years off your health. It's not as easy as before to cut weight”

– about potential fight against Ilia Topuria at Lightweight division

“I think the UFC will decide soon. We have at least three or four contenders now. Soon, probably in about two weeks, it will be clear who the next challenger will be... [Garry] is a good fighter... [but] he didn't surprise me yesterday. If he surprised the UFC, then maybe he will be next”

– addressing Russian media, regarding potential welterweight title challengers Ian Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov.

“[Rakhmonov] hasn't fought for over a year. A contender can't sit out for a year with injuries and then come fight for the belt... Well, if he recovers and the UFC decides he's next, why not?”

– Islam Makhachev, addressing Russian media, regarding potential welterweight title challengers Ian Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov

“In the UFC, I think, they started working on this less [promoting fights]. In the UFC before, they would make a star out of anyone... Now, somehow, the UFC itself has lost interest. Dana is also already a big guy. He's involved in many other things too, you know”

– via UDAR KAMAL, commenting on the UFC's perceived reduction in effort toward promoting fighters and the busyness of Dana White.

“If you want to gain extra kilos, follow DC program. Just one problem he hates sharing his food.”

– via social media, joking about Daniel Cormier's diet and size

“Jokes aside, Craig Jones needs to be fired. We have to make Australia great again!”

– mocked Jones after UFC 322 victory

“I am surprised how this guy who smokes all day beat the former champion.”

– via the UFC 322 Post Fight Press Conference, reacting to Carlos Prates' knockout win over Leon Edwards

“I still think Kamaru can beat Morales and Prates both... Kamaru is still dangerous and one of the best in this game. If you give me the choice and ask me who you want to fight, I will say Kamaru”

– via the UFC's 'About Last Fight' show, explaining why he views former champion Kamaru Usman as a greater challenge than rising contenders Michael Morales and Carlos Prates, and stating Usman is his preferred next opponent.

“Jack is still young, he's 28. Some people just begin fighting at the top level at 28. I know he's gonna come back, he's gonna improve his wrestling, and he has one of the best striking. He's gonna come back soon, and he's gonna be one of the best in this game”

– backing Jack Della Maddalena's future after their fight at UFC 322.

“When you talk about someone for the last five years, when you meet them, you have to answer to what you said. And today, I don't think he answered, and he still says a lot of bad things about our team, and today when he came, somebody just met him, that's it”

– reacts to Dillon Danis Brawl at UFC 322

“No injury. Nothing. I am ready... Let's do this. I will make it easy”

– via the UFC 322 Post Fight Press Conference, on a potential superfight with Ilia Topuria.

“Now we have two champions. We are the toughest country, the toughest republic, and we have the best fighters”

– via UFC, following his win at UFC 322

“When you talk (bad) about someone for the last 5 years, when you meet them you have to answer what you said. Today I don't think he answered... He [has] to be banned from this country also”

– via the UFC 322 post fight press conference, reacting to the cageside brawl involving Dillon Danis and his team

“I told him 'your jiu jitsu is not working. You should come to Dagestan for 2—3 years.' He started laughing and he told Khabib that he will come”

– via the UFC 322 Post Fight Press Conference, revealing what he told Craig Jones after his fight with Jack Della Maddalena

“No, this guy is never coming back. Khabib broke his mind, you know. This guy is never coming back; he is not going to fight anymore. I told this two years ago, and I still think he is not going to fight And now he has a disqualification from the antidoping commission. That's why I think, mo. Maybe Jon Jones will come back to fight at the White House, but not Conor”

– via Complex News Podcast when asked about Conor McGregor's return.

“No, this guy is never coming back. Khabib broke his mind, you know. This guy is never coming back; he is not going to fight anymore. I told this two years ago, and I still think he is not going to fight And now he has a disqualification from the antidoping commission. That's why I think, mo. Maybe Jon Jones will come back to fight at the White House, but not Conor”

– via Complex News Podcast when asked about Conor McGregor's return.

“It’s not working like this. When you bring someone for one camp or for two camps... I just give you a good example. I tell that yesterday... What about Khamzat fighting with DDP? [He] bring many coaches, many, many partners, but it didn’t help. It’s not working like this... I don’t think he even watch the wrestling match in the TV, you know?”

– mocks Dricus's wrestling skill via Daniel Cormier Youtube Channel

“Today I saw a guy, Carlos Prates... he was eating Nutella cake at lunchtime in fight week. It’s something I never do. I understand I am bigger than this guy, you know. I don’t touch anything other than what the nutrition team gives me, and I still have to cut so much”

– via an episode of 'Anatomy of a Fighter', expressing surprise at Carlos Prates' food intake.

“I don't think Craig is helping Jack with wrestling... It doesn't work like this... We have a good example in Chimaev vs. Du Plessis. Du Plessis brought a lot of wrestlers, but nothing worked. This is something that you have to do for many, many years”

– via Main Event TV, commenting on Jack Della Maddalena's wrestling preparation.

“Defend the second belt maybe more times than Kamaru Usman, and enter the Hall of Fame”

– via UFC News, outlining his career goals after potentially winning a second title

“It's going to happen. It is maybe the biggest fight. Biggest fight everybody knows it, and I also want it, and I think next year [2026] is the best time”

– via Adin Ross's YouTube Channel, expressing interest in fighting Ilia Topuria

“If wrestling doesn't work, I'll strike with him. Honestly, this is one of the hardest fights for me because he's big and good everywhere. Maybe he doesn't have good wrestling defense, but his grappling is good.”

– via the WEIGHING IN YouTube Channel, discussing about Jack Della Maddalena.

“I'll change the pound for pound rankings. Back to No.1, but this week, we will change...Myself, this guy [Alexandre] Pantoja, and [Tom] Aspinall, [Alexander] Volkanovski for sure, and [Ilia] Topuria”

– Islam Makhachev shares his top 5 pound for pound ranking via Adin Ross live stream

“I'll change the pound for pound rankings. Back to No.1, but this week, we will change...Myself, this guy [Alexandre] Pantoja, and [Tom] Aspinall, [Alexander] Volkanovski for sure, and [Ilia] Topuria”

– Islam Makhachev shares his top 5 pound for pound ranking via Adin Ross live stream

“I'll change the pound for pound rankings. Back to No.1, but this week, we will change...Myself, this guy [Alexandre] Pantoja, and [Tom] Aspinall, [Alexander] Volkanovski for sure, and [Ilia] Topuria”

– Islam Makhachev shares his top 5 pound for pound ranking via Adin Ross live stream

“I'll change the pound for pound rankings. Back to No.1, but this week, we will change...Myself, this guy [Alexandre] Pantoja, and [Tom] Aspinall, [Alexander] Volkanovski for sure, and [Ilia] Topuria”

– Islam Makhachev shares his top 5 pound for pound ranking via Adin Ross live stream

“Khabib is like my older brother. If he told me, for example, ‘Hey, you have to stop tomorrow, no more fighting’, I would listen to him... He’s the guy in our gym who takes care of us, who controls us and always wishes us the best, he knows how to make the champions, not just in the gym, in my life, he did everything for me”

– via WEIGHING IN podcast, revealing he would retire instantly if advised to do so by his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov

“After the fight, everybody told me Ankalaev wasn't training for the last three months. He had a rib injury. When you don't have sparring [sessions] three times a week, it's hard to go to the cage and fight. That's why I think it happened [the TKO loss]. I think they deserve to fight one more time because Ankalaev says, 'I don't want to pull out because I want to save the main event.' He's good [Pereira], but I believe Ankalaev has more skills”

– via a conversation with streamer Adin Ross, making a case for a trilogy fight based on Ankalaev's injury.

“I will show you guys who the best fighter in the world is. For my legacy, the second belt is important”

– on pursuing a second belt and the P4P spot, via UFC.

“I think so. It would be nice. The fans are interested, and so am I. This fight is the main thing that people are talking about.[I'll be doing it for the fans] How can it be interesting to me? What will I gain by going down to 155 [pounds] and beating Topuria? Win the belt again? I already have it. The fans are mostly interested in it. I'm not interested in cutting down to 155 [pounds] and torturing myself again. I'm interested in fighting at 170 [pounds], eating, enjoying the camp, and fighting”

– answered questions about a potential Ilia Topuria fight, via Match TV.

“What can you scare Volkanovski with? I don't think anyone can scare him”

– asked if his rivals fear him, replied via Match TV

“Now I don't know who's gonna be next for Ilia. Maybe Arman, maybe Gaethje, but not Paddy, for sure. Paddy beat who? Tony Ferguson? Who else he beat? [Michael] Chandler? Everybody beat Chandler. He can do some things, but I don’t see a big chance. I don’t know, maybe, honestly it’s not a big challenge for Topuria. Arman is a really big deal. If he beats Arman, because Arman has good skills striking, wrestling, grappling, he’s a good fighter. Paddy, nobody checked Paddy before”

– laughs at Paddy Pimblett getting title shot against Ilia Topuria

“It’s not a question I want to answer, like I beat Khabib’s record or something like this. It’s all about Abdulmanap’s legacy, our coach who is not with us right now. After ten or fifteen years, people will understand what he did for our country, for MMA, for sports. Even now, new champions in other organizations are training under his students. It has become a very big school. The only thing I miss is that he’s not in the cage with us when we win the belt. I think he’s proud of us”

– dismissing comparison to Khabib via ESPN MMA