Makhachev comes out on top of grappling duel with Wade

He didn't get the finish, but Islam Makhachev might have put on his best UFC performance yet.

For three hard rounds, Makhachev went hold for hold with wrestler Chris Wade, eventually edging him out on the cards with 29-28 scores across the board in their lightweight bout at UFC Fight Night 94 in Hidalgo, Texas on Saturday.

With the win, he bounces back from a knockout loss at the hands of Adriano Martins last October, the first setback of his MMA career. His record in the UFC stands at 2-1.

Wade and Makhachev engaged in an intense grappling contest in Round 1, with Makhachev initiating the action. He took Wade down and managed to get to half guard before Wade reversed position to get on top. Before Wade could settle in, Makhachev threw up a triangle choke attempt that Wade had to fight off for the majority of the round. However, Wade maneuvered into position to land strikes that forced Makhachev to release the submission and end the round in a dominant position.

In the second round, Wade again managed to get the better of a scramble to set up a choke of his own. The guillotine attempt looked tight enough that referee Dan Miragliotta checked to see if Makhachev was out, but the Dagestani fighter responded with a thumbs up. Once Makhachev escaped, he and Wade continued their dizzying grappling with neither fighter managing to stay on top for long.

Makhachev made sure there was at least one clear-cut round as he took Wade down again in Round 3. From there, he was able to reach half guard and then take the back of a scrambling Wade, where he stayed until time ran out.

Wade is 4-2 in the UFC after dropping his second straight decision, and is now in the midst of his first-ever losing streak.