Zach Makovsky

Zachary Paul "Zach" Makovsky (born April 19, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the flyweight division of the Brave Combat Federation. He has competed in EliteXC, ShoXC, Bellator, and Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion.

Background
Makovsky was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Makovsky began wrestling when he was six years old and excelled in youth and middle school programs before attending Bethlehem Catholic High School where he was a four-year varsity letterman and the captain for his senior season. Makovsky then attended Drexel University, and was a walk on for the wrestling team. After redshirting his first season, he went on to be a four-year varsity letterman and captain of the team for his senior season. During the off-season, Makovsky trained in mixed martial arts, met Eddie Alvarez, and competed in many grappling tournaments. Makovsky's overall grappling record is 65-7.

Early career
Makovsky began his mixed martial arts career in small shows based in New Jersey, United States. He compiled a 3–0 record, with each victory coming via decision (two via unanimous decision and one via split decision).

EliteXC
Makovsky then joined EliteXC and made his promotional debut at ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series in January 2008. His opponent was two-time Bellator Featherweight Tournament participant Wilson Reis. Early in the second round, Reis defeated Makovsky via submission (arm-triangle choke).

Makovsky returned in May 2008, at EliteXC: Primetime to face André Soares. After three rounds, Makovsky was declared the winner via unanimous decision.

EliteXC then dissolved and Makovsky fought two bouts in New Jersey, winning both via rear-naked choke submission.

Makovsky then fought his first fight abroad, in Tokyo, Japan, against Toshiaki Kitada. Makovsky was submitted with a rear-naked choke submission late in the first round.

In his final pre-Bellator fight, Makovsky was part of the M-1 Selection in the Americas. He defeated Josh Rave via technical submission (guillotine choke) after controlling the bout with effective takedowns and wrestling.

Bellator Fighting Championships
Makovsky debuted for the Bellator promotion at Bellator 21 against Eric Luke. Late in the second round, Makovsky forced Luke to tap out to a kimura. As a result of that victory, Makovsky was signed to take part in the Bellator Season Three Bantamweight Tournament.

At Bellator 27, Makovsky defeated Nick Mamalis via unanimous decision. The win moved Makovsky into the semi-final round.

There, Makovsky faced Bryan Goldsby. Makovsky used his wrestling and jiu-jitsu to frustrate Goldsby and claimed a unanimous decision victory.

In the tournament final, Makovsky faced Ed West. Makovsky also fell to a kimura early in the matchup and a knee that knocked him down in the opening seconds. However, Makovsky came back and controlled the fight to take a unanimous decision and become the inaugural Bellator Bantamweight Champion.

Makovsky next faced undefeated Chad Robichaux at Bellator 41 in a non-title fight. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Makovsky fought in his second non-title fight at Bellator 54. He faced one-time UFC competitor Ryan Roberts and won via submission in the first round.

Makovsky attempted to make his first title defense against Season 5 bantamweight tournament winner Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 65 in Atlantic City on April 13, 2012. He lost via second round technical submission due to an arm triangle choke.

Makovsky attempted to get back into the win column when he took on Anthony Leone, but lost the fight by controversial split decision. After two consecutive losses, Makovsky was released from the promotion.

Cage Fury
On May 11, 2013, Makovsky made his flyweight debut for Cage Fury Fighting Championships. Makovsky defeated fellow Bellator veteran Claudio Ledesma via unanimous decision.

Resurrection Fighting Alliance
On November 22, 2013, Makovsky made his debut for RFA against Matt Manzanares for the vacant Flyweight Championship. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
On December 4, 2013, it was announced that Makovsky had signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, stepping in to replace an injured John Dodson against Scott Jorgensen at UFC on Fox 9. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

For his second UFC fight, Makovsky made a quick return to the Octagon as he faced Josh Sampo at UFC 170 on February 22, 2014. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Makovsky was expected to face Jussier Formiga on August 2, 2014, at UFC 176. However, after UFC 176 was cancelled, Formiga/Makovsky was rescheduled and eventually took place on August 16, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 47. Makovsky lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Makovsky faced Tim Elliott on February 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 60. Makovsky won the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.

Makovsky faced John Dodson on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187. Makovsky lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Makovsky faced Joseph Benavidez on February 6, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 82. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Makovsky was expected to face John Moraga on December 10, 2016, at UFC 206. However, Moraga pulled out of the fight in early November citing injury and was replaced by Dustin Ortiz. He lost the fight via split decision.

Absolute Championship Berkut
Makovsky faced Josiel Silva at ACB 60 on 13 May 2017. He won via submission in the third round.

Makovsky faced Yoni Sherbatov at ACB 72 on October 14, 2017. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Brave Combat Federation
Makovsky debuted for the promotion at Brave CF 34. His opponent was 2016 sambo world champion, Russian fighter Velimurad Alkhasov. Makovsky won the contest via split decision.

Makovsky was expected to face Abdul Hussein in the opening round of the Brave Flyweight Championship tournament. However, Hussein was forced to withdraw from the bout due to sickness during the weight cut. Makovsky advanced to the semifinals of the tournament.

Makovsky rematched Velimurad Alkhasov in the semi-final of the Brave Flyweight Championship tournament on April 1, 2021, at Brave CF 50. In a very close bout, Makovsky lost via split decision.

Makovsky would then go on to face future UFC fighter Asu Almabaev on July 30, 2022 at Brave CF 60, losing for the third time in a row via split decision.

Makovsky faced Falvio de Queiroz on August 12, 2023 at Brave CF 73, losing the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round.

Championships

 * Bellator Fighting Championships
 * Bellator Bantamweight World Championship (One time, First)
 * Bellator Season 3 Bantamweight Tournament Winner
 * Resurrection Fighting Alliance
 * RFA Flyweight Championship (One time, Current)
 * Combat in the Cage
 * CITC Bantamweight Championship (One time)