Islam Makhachev is ready for a title shot! Makhachev feels confident that he isn’t far from earning a title shot after submitting Thiago Moises in the fourth round at UFC Vegas 31 last Saturday. This was his message to the lightweight division: “Hey guys, you can run but you can’t hide, I’m coming I’m here.”

Islam Makhachev is widely regarded as the second coming of Khabib Nurmagomedov, and he could be contending for a title soon. Training out of Eagles MMA / American Kickboxing Academy, Makhachev dominated his opponents during his time at M1-Global and now he’s ninth in the UFC lightweight rankings.

Makhachev is 9-1 in the UFC and he’s won his last eight fights. He submitted Drew Dober with an arm triangle choke in the third round at UFC 259 on March 6 and he also has wins against Chris Wade, Nik Lentz, Gleison Tibau, Kajan Johnson, Arman Tsarukyan, Davi Ramos and Thiago Moises as part of his current streak. After Saturday’s fight he said: “It doesn’t matter how many fights, I’m going to smash everybody.”

Makhachev also took special interest in Michael Chandler, who was serving as an analyst for the event on ESPN. “I see here Michael Chandler, why not? Let’s go Chandler,” Makhachev said backstage. “You come for easy fight in the UFC? No, you come from Bellator, we want to give you a hard time. Let’s do this. Chandler, if you hear me, let’s do this. You come from Bellator, I want to check your skills.”

“Khabib said he thinks he’s the future of the division,” Chandler said about Makhachev. “So only time will tell. Either way, the man’s got a bright future.”

Born: September 27, 1991

Age: 29

Country: Russia

Height: 5’10″

Weight: 155 lbs

Reach: 70″

Stance: Southpaw

Association: Eagles MMA / American Kickboxing Academy

Class: Lightweight

Record: 20-1