Islam Makhachev braces for first-ever UFC main event against Thiago Moises

Lightweight Islam Makhachev (19-1) has been asking for a big break and it seems like his demand is finally on the way. The Dagestani grappler will headline the UFC Vegas 31 main event on July 17 when takes on Thiago Moises (15-4) in a five-round bout.

As for the co-main event at UFC Vegas 31, former women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate is coming out of retirement to face Marion Reneau. Moises and Makhachev were originally scheduled to fight for three rounds as an undercard to the Max Holloway-Yair Rodiguez fight, but the UFC management had to change the plans after Holloway withdrew due to an undisclosed injury.

This has eventually worked in Makhachev’s favor who has been asking UFC President Dana White for months to get him in the spotlight. Even his cousin and former UFC champ Khabib Nurmagomedov once voiced for Makhachev’s concerns.

The Russian fighter made his UFC debut in 2015 against Adriano Martins at UFC 192. While Makhachev suffered a loss on his first fight, he kept on improving his grappling skills until he outfoxed his opponents. He has been on a winning spree since then, clinching eight straight wins.
On the flip side, Moises is also coming off a three-fight win streak as well.