When fans ask, “Who did Islam Makhachev lose to?” the answer lies in a single, surprising moment from 2015. That year, the Russian powerhouse suffered the only defeat of his professional MMA career — and it came early in his UFC journey. So, who pulled off the unthinkable and knocked out one of the sport’s most dominant fighters? The man who handed Islam Makhachev his first and only loss is Adriano Martins. Let’s break it all down.

If you're into MMA or just a casual fan of the UFC, you’ve probably heard the name Islam Makhachev. The Dagestani sensation has been on an absolute tear, dominating the lightweight division and cementing his place as one of the top fighters in the world. But, like every great athlete, Makhachev has a blemish on his record — a single loss that stands out like a sore thumb. So, who did Islam Makhachev lose to? The answer is Adriano Martins at UFC 192.

In this article, we’ll dive into the details of that fight, explore what happened that night, and explain why this loss is still talked about today. If you’re curious about the answer to “who did Islam lose to in the UFC,” you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get into it.

• Chelsea Noble

Table of Contents

• Biography of Islam Makhachev
• The Fight That Changed Everything: UFC 192
• Adriano Martins: The Man Who Beat Islam
• What Happened During the Fight?
• Why Did Makhachev Lose?
• FAQ Section
• Conclusion

Biography of Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev is a Russian mixed martial artist born on October 28, 1991, in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia. He is widely known for his dominant performances in the UFC, particularly in the lightweight division. Makhachev is a long-time training partner of the late Khabib Nurmagomedov and has been coached by the legendary Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.

As of January 2025, Makhachev holds a professional MMA record of 15 wins and just 1 loss. He is currently the UFC lightweight champion, known for his grappling, striking, and relentless pressure inside the Octagon. But before he became a champion, he had to overcome his only setback — a knockout loss to Adriano Martins.

The Fight That Changed Everything: UFC 192

Back in October 2015, Islam Makhachev was still early in his UFC career. He was undefeated at the time and coming off a win in his debut. The rising prospect was set to face Adriano Martins at UFC 192, which took place in Houston, Texas. The event was headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson.

• Ky Frost

So, who did Islam Makhachev lose to at UFC 192? The answer is Adriano Martins — a Brazilian veteran with a background in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. At the time, Martins was 34 years old and had been competing professionally since 2002. He was known for his striking and had finished several opponents by knockout.

Going into the fight, few expected Makhachev to lose. He was part of the famed American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) team and had a strong wrestling base. But on that night, everything changed.

Adriano Martins: The Man Who Beat Islam

Adriano Martins is a Brazilian MMA fighter with a long and storied career. As of 2025, he has competed in over 40 professional fights, with wins over notable names like Joe Lauzon and Rustam Khabilov. But his most famous victory remains the knockout win over Islam Makhachev in 2015.

Martins was known for his striking, especially his powerful hands and unpredictable movement. He had a knack for catching opponents with clean shots, and on that night, Islam Makhachev was the unfortunate victim of one of his best performances.

After the win over Makhachev, Martins went on a losing streak for nearly nine years. He didn’t pick up another win until 2024, which shows just how much of an outlier that victory was. Still, it’s the one that will live on in UFC history — the only time Islam Makhachev has ever been finished.

What Happened During the Fight?

The fight between Islam Makhachev and Adriano Martins lasted just 1 minute and 46 seconds. Yes, less than two minutes. It was Makhachev’s second fight in the UFC, and it was supposed to be a tune-up fight. But things went south quickly.

From the opening bell, Makhachev looked to pressure Martins and take the fight to the ground. But as he stepped in, Martins threw a sharp overhand right that landed flush on Makhachev’s chin. The Dagestani fighter dropped immediately, and Martins followed up with ground strikes until the referee stepped in.

It was a shocking finish — and one that surprised just about everyone watching. Makhachev had shown incredible resilience in his previous fights, but this was his first real test, and he failed it.

Why Did Makhachev Lose?

So, why did Islam Makhachev lose to Adriano Martins? There were a few factors that played into the outcome of the fight:

• Inexperience: At the time, Makhachev was still early in his career and hadn’t faced a striker of Martins’ caliber.
• Pressure to Perform: There was a lot of hype around Makhachev as a prospect, which may have affected his mindset.
• Internal Issues: According to reports, there was a disagreement in Makhachev’s camp the week before the fight, which may have distracted him.

Despite all this, Makhachev bounced back in a huge way. He went on a winning streak, improved his striking, and eventually became the UFC lightweight champion. That lone loss to Martins is now just a small footnote in a legendary career.

FAQ Section

Who was the mixed martial artist who handed Islam Makhachev his only defeat?

Islam Makhachev's only professional MMA loss came at the hands of Adriano Martins at UFC 192 in 2015. Martins knocked out Makhachev in the first round, and it remains the only blemish on his record to date.

When did Islam Makhachev lose to Adriano Martins?

Islam Makhachev lost to Adriano Martins on October 3, 2015, at UFC 192. The fight was Makhachev’s second appearance in the UFC and lasted just 1 minute and 46 seconds.

Has Islam Makhachev ever lost in the UFC besides that fight?

No, Islam Makhachev has only lost once in the UFC — that single loss came against Adriano Martins. Since then, he has gone on to win multiple fights and become the UFC lightweight champion.

Conclusion

So, to answer the big question — who did Islam Makhachev lose to? — the answer is Adriano Martins at UFC 192. That single loss in 2015 is the only time Makhachev has been finished in his professional career, and it remains a topic of discussion among fans and analysts.

While the loss was a setback, it also served as a learning experience. Makhachev came back stronger, improved his striking, and became one of the most dominant fighters in the UFC. If you're curious about how a loss can shape a champion, this story is a perfect example.

Learn more about UFC and check out the latest updates on Islam Makhachev’s career. And if you’re looking for more fight breakdowns and MMA analysis, Learn more about how fighters overcome early setbacks and rise to the top.