Islam Makhachev has been on a dominant run in UFC history, but his sole loss to Adriano Martins in 2015 was a tough time for him.
What happened?
Makhachev lost to Martins via first-round TKO, a defeat that left a mark beyond the record books.
He took a long time to recover from the loss, questioning himself and wondering why it hurt so much.
Why it matters for Islam Makhachev
The loss made Makhachev grow as a fighter, and he came back stronger, becoming the first Dagestani double champion.
Makhachev said losing was very hard for him, but those bad days helped him get better.
What comes next?
Ilia Topuria claims Makhachev's only loss makes him look vulnerable, and he thinks Ian Garry has a good chance to beat Makhachev.
Topuria said everyone has chances in the fight business, especially someone like Garry who has collected a lot of experience in his UFC run.
Makhachev is not unbeatable, and Topuria reminded everyone that the proof is already on the record.
On June 6, 2026, Makhachev opened up to Red Corner MMA about how his only career loss changed him as a fighter.
He credits the recovery process for the growth that followed, and the version of Makhachev we see today was built during the hard times he's describing.
The loss happened once, but what Makhachev did with it happened every day after, making him the fighter he is today.
Makhachev's story is one of perseverance and growth, and it will be interesting to see what happens if Garry fights Makhachev.
Makhachev's dominance in UFC history is undeniable, but his sole loss to Martins in 2015 was a turning point in his career.
He learned many things from that tough time and became a better fighter because of it.
Makhachev's journey is an inspiration to many, and his story is a reminder that even in defeat, there is always a chance to grow and come back stronger.