'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Islam Makhachev juggernaut rolled on at UFC Vegas 31 as the Dagestani recorded a fourth-round submission victory over Thiago Moises in his first UFC main event.
Makhachev got off the blocks slowly as he engaged in range striking with the Brazilian. But he grew into the contest as it progressed, tallying several submission attempts and recording a significant amount of control time over an opponent who was more than willing to grapple with him.
Eventually, an opportunity presented itself in the fourth round, and Makhachev grabbed it with both hands. The 29-year-old locked in a rear-naked choke to become the first man to finish Moises in professional MMA competition, and extended his UFC win streak to eight.
Islam Makhachev has found willing opponents difficult to come by, but the lightweight contenders will certainly have him in their crosshairs as he makes a run for the title. Here are five possible next opponents for Makhachev after his win at UFC Vegas 31.
#5 Islam Makhachev vs Michael Chandler
Following his win at UFC Vegas 31, Islam Makhachev listed Michael Chandler among his preferred opponents.
After making his UFC debut earlier this year against Dan Hooker, Chandler went on to contest the lightweight title in only his second fight in the promotion. Although he tasted defeat at the hands of Charles Oliveira, there's no doubt that he's one of the best in the division.
Chandler could prove to be the perfect step up in competition for Islam Makhachev, who probably deserves an opponent in the top five. An excellent wrestler in his own right, 'Iron' could be a difficult challenge for Makhachev to overcome - and vice versa.
However, the possibility of Chandler being booked for a fight against Justin Gaethje remains. And with the former Bellator champ having expressed an interest in making a quick run to another championship fight, he may not be entirely willing to take on an opponent ranked well below him.
Also read: Statistics show that Islam Makhachev is the hardest to hit fighter in UFC history by a long margin
#4 Islam Makhachev vs Dan Hooker
Islam Makhachev and Dan Hooker have a history, with the former having called out 'The Hangman' previously. However, following Hooker's losses to Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler, Makhachev seemed reluctant to face him, saying:
"Dan Hooker posted something today, 'If Islam won this fight and called me...', but who is Dan Hooker, you know? Now he's number eight. In his last six fights, he lost three times. I need someone who will bring me to call for the belt, but I don’t think Hooker is a big step for me.”
Nevertheless, with the other lightweights at the top of the division likely to be booked to face each other soon, Makhachev might have to swallow his pride and take on another middling opponent. The Kiwi has at least expressed an interest in fighting him, which isn't something that can be said about many in the UFC lightweight division.
A fighter with a takedown defense rate of 79% in the UFC, Hooker's reach and size could cause Islam Makhachev problems. However, with the Russian expected to leapfrog Hooker in the rankings, this is another fight that might not materialize unless there's absolutely no other alternative.
#3 Islam Makhachev vs Beneil Dariush
Beneil Dariush is ranked third in the lightweight rankings at the moment, which is a bit puzzling if we're being entirely honest. He has only one win over a top-ten fighter - Tony Ferguson - and his other notable conquests - Diego Ferreira and Thiago Moises - are on the verge of dropping out of the rankings altogether.
Dariush may not be ready for an opponent of the caliber of Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler, even though he has insisted he's ready for someone in the top five. Push might come to shove, and if that happens, the UFC might make the rather unassuming 32-year-old take on Islam Makhachev.
Both solid grapplers, Dariush and Makhachev could surge into title contention with a couple of wins on the trot. While facing off against each other might not be the quickest path to the belt, it could turn out to be the smartest route.
#2 Islam Makhachev vs Tony Ferguson
Another name who cropped up during Islam Makhachev's post-fight interviews, Tony Ferguson seems to be a favorable opponent for the Dagestani. 'El Cucuy' has been taken down and controlled in each of his last two fights by talented grapplers, and should a fight materialize, he will probably open up as a massive betting underdog.
However, poor stylistic matchup aside, this is a fight that could make a lot of sense for the division. Currently ranked fifth after Conor McGregor fell in the rankings, Ferguson could be the perfect step up in competition for Makhachev. Moreover, the 37-year-old's infamous history with Khabib Nurmagomedov would add intrigue to the fight.
Fans may not want to witness Ferguson face another grappling-heavy fighter, but the storylines certainly align.
#1 Islam Makhachev vs Rafael dos Anjos
The first name on Islam Makhachev's lips after his win at UFC Vegas 31 was former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. RDA is in a curious predicament at the moment, oddly distanced from the happenings of the lightweight division.
The two have a long history. Dos Anjos and Makhachev were scheduled to face off at UFC 254 on the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje undercard, but the Brazilian tested positive for COVID-19 and had to pull out. When the bout was rescheduled, Makhachev withdrew with a staph infection.
The stars may finally align for Dos Anjos and Makhachev to meet in the octagon. The former champ once claimed that he'd take on the Russian if he was guaranteed a rematch with Khabib if he won. And while that is the stuff of dreams and nothing more, he could still be coaxed into taking on Makhachev.
Also Read: The positives and negatives from UFC Vegas 31
