Islam Makhachev is widely regarded as one of the most dominant fighters of his generation — a two-division UFC champion, a pound-for-pound great, and the heir to the Dagestani fighting dynasty that Khabib Nurmagomedov helped build. His technical pressure, crushing top control, and constantly evolving striking have made him almost untouchable in the UFC lightweight and welterweight divisions.
But even the greatest champions have blemishes. And for Makhachev, that mark came early in his UFC career, before he went on to build one of the longest winning streaks in modern MMA.
So who did Islam Makhachev lose to?
Here’s the full story behind the only defeat on his record — and how it shaped the champion he became.
Islam Makhachev’s Only Career Loss: Adriano Martins
Islam Makhachev has one professional loss in his entire MMA career.
Loss: Adriano Martins def. Islam Makhachev (KO, Round 1)
Event: UFC 192
Date: October 3, 2015
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Time of finish: 1:46 of Round 1
This remains the only time Islam has ever been finished — or defeated — in professional MMA.
At the time, Makhachev was 12–0, a highly touted prospect representing AKA and the Dagestani Sambo circuit. Most fans expected him to run through Martins. Instead, the fight became a pivotal moment in his career.
How the Fight Happened: A Rare Defensive Mistake
The Martins fight was deceptively short but filled with small moments that would later define Makhachev’s evolution.
Round 1: A Feeling-Out Process… Until It Wasn’t
The opening minute looked typical for a young Islam:
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Light kicks from the outside
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Quick level changes
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Feints to draw reactions
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Patience as he studied Martins’ timing
But Martins, a veteran with knockout power, stayed laser-focused on countering. He read Makhachev’s forward movement and began setting traps for the left hand.
The Knockout
At 1:46 of Round 1, Islam stepped forward to apply pressure — slightly overcommitting on a feint. Martins fired a perfectly timed right hand over the top.
Clean. Sharp. No follow-up needed.
Makhachev collapsed backward, and the referee waved the fight off instantly.
It was a reminder that one punch can change everything in MMA.
What That Loss Meant for Makhachev’s Career
Great fighters learn from defeat, and Islam Makhachev is no exception. Many fans and analysts point to UFC 192 as the moment that shaped the unstoppable champion we see today.
1. His Defensive Striking Became World-Class
Early-career Islam was aggressive and sometimes too confident in the pocket. After the Martins knockout, he rebuilt his defensive fundamentals:
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Better head movement
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Clean exit angles
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A more patient, composed pressure style
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Increased reliance on distance management
This is why today’s Makhachev rarely gets hit clean.
2. He Became More Calculated in Setting Up Entries
The loss forced him to refine his setups:
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No more naked entries
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Heavy use of feints
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Layered striking-to-wrestling transitions
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Disciplined cage-cutting
Makhachev now controls fights without rushing — a hallmark of all-time greats.
3. It Fueled His Historic 16-Fight UFC Win Streak
After UFC 192, Makhachev didn’t just bounce back — he became a different fighter.
He went on to win 16 straight UFC fights, tying Anderson Silva’s all-time record. During that stretch, he:
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Won the UFC lightweight title
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Defended it multiple times
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Moved up to welterweight
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Defeated Jack Della Maddalena to become a two-division champion
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Became UFC’s pound-for-pound #1 fighter
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Became one of the most complete fighters the sport has ever seen
And he did it all without losing a single round decisively.
Where Is Adriano Martins Now?
It’s a question many fans ask.
After his win over Makhachev, Martins went 0–4 in his next four UFC fights and was eventually released. He competed in smaller organizations afterward but never recaptured the form that landed him his signature knockout.
The win remains the biggest moment of his MMA career.
Has Islam Makhachev Ever Been Close to Losing Again?
Not really — and that’s what makes his career so remarkable.
Since the Martins fight:
✔ He has never been knocked down again
✔ He has never been rocked badly
✔ He has not been submitted or in submission trouble
✔ He has never been dominated on the ground
✔ He has rarely lost a round
His toughest tests came from:
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Arman Tsarukyan (debut fight) — competitive grappling exchanges
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Alexander Volkanovski (UFC 284) — close fight on the scorecards
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Charles Oliveira (if rematched) — stylistic danger
But none threatened him the way Martins did in 2015.
Why That Single Loss Actually Helped Build His Legacy
Every champion has a defining moment:
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Georges St-Pierre lost to Matt Serra
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Amanda Nunes lost twice early
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Jon Jones nearly lost to Gustafsson
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Khabib had close calls against Tibau
For Islam, the Martins knockout became his “reset point,” forcing him to evolve faster than ever.
It proved he wasn’t just Khabib’s protégé — he was a self-made fighter capable of building his own greatness.
Final Answer: Islam Makhachev Has One Career Loss
To summarize:
Who did Islam Makhachev lose to?
➡️ Adriano Martins (KO, Round 1 at UFC 192)
Since that night, Makhachev has built one of the greatest résumés in MMA history — winning two UFC world titles, dominating two divisions, and tying the UFC record for most consecutive wins.
His lone setback became the foundation of a near-perfect career.
