UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev reached out to his anxious mother immediately after his history-making win at UFC 311.
Islam Makhachev defeated short-notice replacement opponent Renato Moicano in the UFC 311 main event on Saturday in Los Angeles. The UFC’s pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter put on another dominant performance in the Octagon as he tapped out Moicano with a D’Arce choke in the first round.
Makhachev’s performance forced UFC CEO Dana White to change his position on the UFC’s pound-for-pound debate, a remarkable turnaround after months of dialogue in the media. He was supposed to face Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 311 main event before Tsarukyan withdrew due to injury. Still, after his showing against Moicano, it’s hard to believe that the fight would’ve played out differently had he remained in the fight.
Makhachev’s mother, similar to that of his longtime friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, hates to watch him fight in the Octagon. She rarely watches his fights as she hates to see her son suffer damage doing what he loves.
After another signature performance at UFC 311, Makhachev made sure to reassure his mother that he was healthy and happy in the middle of a post-fight interview.
Islam Makhachev eliminates mother’s anxiety with a dominant win at UFC 311
While interviewing with a reporter from Red Corner MMA, Makhachev took a selfie to send to his mother, who couldn’t watch his fight at UFC 311.
“I need to send Mom a photo, because she doesn’t watch my fights,” Makhachev explained.
Makhachev has repeatedly explained how his mother has tried to persuade him to retire on numerous occasions in his career. Nurmagomedov, his UFC Hall of Fame mentor, retired in 2020 to fulfill a promise to his mother following the tragic death of his father leading up to UFC 254.
After UFC 311, Makhachev could potentially defend the UFC lightweight title for the sixth time, or move up to welterweight to vie for two-weight world champion status. His UFC 311 victory set the record for all-time UFC lightweight title defenses (5), snapping a four-way tie with Benson Henderson, BJ Penn, and Nurmagomedov.
Islam Makhachev sends his mother a selfie to reassure her that he emerged unscathed, as she prefers not to watch his fights. pic.twitter.com/V6LdEtsxaP
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) January 19, 2025
Islam Makhachev has several options for next fight after UFC 311
Islam Makhachev has several potential opponent options following UFC 311, including a potential rematch against Charles Oliveira. Makhachev earned the belt by submitting Oliveira at UFC 280, but Oliveira made a strong case for a rematch in a dominant performance against Michael Chandler at UFC 309 in November.
Tsarukyan is ruled out for the next UFC lightweight title shot after his last-second withdrawal from UFC 311, according to White and the matchmakers. He’ll need to work his way back to the title mix with at least one victory before making the case for another shot at the belt.
After a few more wins in the Octagon, Makhachev could potentially walk away from fighting and give his mother peace. In the meantime, Makhachev continues to rise the ranks of the UFC’s all-time great competitors.