Bilyal Makhov


Bilyal Valerievich Makhov is a Circassian-Kabardian-born Russian mixed martial artist, freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestler. He is signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, currently competing in the Heavyweight division. He was the Russian champion in 2007 and 2010, European champion in 2010 and World champion in 2007, 2009 and 2010 in Men's Freestyle 120 kg wrestling and bronze medalist in 130 kg Greco-Roman Wrestling at the World Championships in 2014 and 2015. In 2015, he won the Russian National Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships
He originally won the bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the men's 120 kg category but was upgraded to joint Olympic champion with Komeil Ghasemi of Iran in 2020, when retesting of samples revealed both finalists had used illegal substances.
On July 5, 2015 at the Ali Aliyev Memorial he took revenge on Olympic rival Davit Modzmanashvili by technical superiority score and won this tournament.

Mixed martial arts career

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On April 25, 2015, it was announced that Makhov had signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to compete in the heavyweight division. Makhov will continue to wrestle and had hoped to medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Championships and accomplishments

International Titles

The first wrestler in 42 years to win a medal at the world championships in both freestyle and Greco-Roman.

National Titles