Islam Makhachev shared a photo on social media with Ramazan Kuramagomedov, accompanied by the caption stating that the welterweight division belongs to them. The post suggests confidence in their team's prospects in the 170-pound division. No specific fight announcements or training updates were provided. The post was characterized as a powerful connection between the two fighters.
Islam Makhachev took to social media on April 23 to post a photo alongside undefeated welterweight prospect Ramazan Kuramagomedov, captioning the image with a bold declaration that the 170-pound division belongs to the two Russian fighters.
Makhachev, 34, is the reigning welterweight champion and currently holds the number-one spot in the pound-for-pound rankings, carrying a record of 28-1. The Dagestan native trains out of Eagles MMA and brings a suffocating, well-rounded game to the division — averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing 58 percent of his significant strikes at a rate of 2.63 per minute. His southpaw grappling-heavy style has made him one of the most dominant champions in the sport.
Kuramagomedov, 29, remains undefeated at 8-0 and has made a striking impression since arriving in the UFC. Standing six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach, the orthodox Russian is an aggressive finisher who lands an extraordinary 11.67 significant strikes per minute at a 67 percent accuracy rate — numbers that suggest opponents rarely last long once he finds his rhythm. He is currently affiliated with American Top Team.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's public endorsement of Kuramagomedov signals strong confidence in the young prospect's welterweight potential
- At 8-0 with elite striking accuracy, Kuramagomedov could climb the 170-pound rankings quickly and eventually factor into title conversations
- Two high-profile Russian fighters publicly aligning around the welterweight division adds a team dimension to an already competitive weight class
