It’s been over four years since the UFC announced the signing of Russian freestyle and Greco-Roman standout Bilyal Makhov. The heavyweight force had no amateur or professional mixed martial arts experience, making his entrance at the highest level of the sport especially conspicuous.
Makhov’s debut was delayed so that he could prepare for and compete in the 2016 Olympic Games. In Rio, Makhov lost his first match and was not pulled back into repechage, ending his tournament.
Since then, Makhov had competed twice in wrestling, with no word of a UFC debut. In November of 2017, Makhov won the prestigious Alans, before going off the grid for two years.