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Islam Makhachev submitted Thiago Moises on July 17 to take his MMA record to a frightening 20-1. Immediately after the fight, he called out some elite UFC lightweights and told them that there was no hiding from the new Dagestani sensation. Makhachev is aware that top-ranked fighters are trying to avoid an encounter with him because of the superior skills he brings into the octagon.
There was an argument that the top-tier 155-pounders didn't have much to gain from a fight against a #9-ranked fighter. However, defeating Moises at UFC Vegas 31 saw Islam Makhachev jump to the fifth spot in the division. He is not scared to take on any fighter, be it Rafael dos Anjos, Tony Ferguson, Michael Chandler, or even Conor McGregor.
It is Islam Makhachev's time to shine and there is seemingly no way to stop him. The Dagestani grappler, a protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov, is set to rule the UFC lightweight division for years to come. Here are five reasons why.
#5. Islam Makhachev is guided by Khabib Nurmagomedov
Being guided by an undefeated former UFC champion must have its perks. Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev belong to the same country, village, and training camp. They might not be blood brothers but they certainly treat each other like one. Nurmagomedov, a former UFC No.1 pound-for-pound fighter and one of the greatest lightweights ever, has taken on an increased coaching role in his camp since his retirement.
'The Eagle' is seen cornering Islam Makhachev in each of his fights, and even takes precedence over their coach Javier Mendez when it comes to giving crucial advice. Islam Makhachev spoke about how Khabib's advice is more fruitful to him than his coach Mendez.
"I think Khabib (is more important) because... they come between rounds (and) they have one minute. Khabib tells (Javier Mendez), 'Hey, I have 30 seconds, I'm gonna say what I want but you're next'. But, you know, Khabib has more experience in this game, that's why I think he understands more."
Even during Islam Makhachev's recent fight against Thiago Moises, he was seen getting advice from Khabib Nurmagomedov after every round. Eventually, Makhachev ended up submitting Moises in round four to put a big stamp on his performance.
There is no doubt Islam Makhachev is talented and has superior skills to most lightweights in the UFC. However, getting one-on-one advice from the 29-0 former dominant champion is definitely going to put him in a better position to rule the division for years to come.
#4. Islam Makhachev is not easy to hit
Islam Makhachev has solid fundamentals to his stand-up game. While known for his grappling, the No.5-ranked UFC lightweight likes to switch it up and trade punches just as much. The main reason behind this is his sound defense. Islam Makhachev is the least-hit fighter across all divisions in the UFC.
He absorbs an average of just 0.77 significant strikes per minute, which is much less than some of the greatest boxers in the UFC. In his most recent bout against Thiago Moises, Islam Makhachev landed a total of 61 significant strikes while absorbing only 13. Three of his previous opponents, Drew Dober, Davi Ramos and Arman Tsarukyan, could land a cumulative total of just 30 significant strikes on Islam Makhachev.
While the 29-year-old has suffered a knockout loss in his MMA career against Adriano Martins, it doesn't seem like something that will be repeated anytime soon. The Russian fighter is not an easy man to hit and that makes him a difficult puzzle to solve, even for the top strikers in the division. If Islam Makhachev takes the UFC lightweight gold, it is not going to be easy to dethrone him.
#3. Islam Makhachev's grappling is on Khabib Nurmagomedov's level
MMA fighters of Dagestani origin have proven to be excellent grapplers, with the prime example being Khabib Nurmagomedov. The former UFC 155-pound champion is undefeated despite coming face-to-face with some of the most lethal strikers and grapplers in the division. All of his opponents credited 'The Eagle' for his toughness, speed and efficiency on the floor.
Islam Makhachev is no different. Having trained with Khabib Nurmagomedov under the tutelage of the the former champ's father Abdulmanap since childhood, the No.5-ranked UFC lightweight is a highly skilled grappler. He is a multi-time combat sambo champion, who is going at it with some of the most-skilled wrestlers in the gym on a daily basis.
With a 68% takedown accuracy and 75% takedown defense, Islam Makhachev is the best grappler in the lightweight division, and one of the best in the UFC.
He has nine submission wins in his MMA career, with three of those coming in his last six fights in the UFC. Coupled with the endurance and cardio for which fighters of his camp are known, Makhachev is a scary force inside the octagon.
#2. Islam Makhachev is a better striker than Khabib Nurmagomedov
Islam Makhachev is one of the most well-rounded men in the lightweight division.Considering Khabib Nurmagomedov was one of the most dominant fighters to ever grace the UFC, it would be a big deal to be better than him in a particular skill. And Islam Makhachev is seemingly just that. He has gained praise from AKA coach Javier Mendez for his striking.
Mendez, who coaches the Dagestani bunch at the American Kickboxing Academy, believes that Islam Makhachev has a more well-rounded game than 'The Eagle'.
In an interview with Niall McGrath, Javier Mendez said:
"His (Islam Makhachev's) overall game is slightly better than Khabib's. The stand-up, the kicking, and the ground. Remember, Islam is a two-time sambo champion, and not just recently, too. He's accomplished what Khabib has accomplished. Islam has adapted to the striking quicker than Khabib, being that Khabib will only train striking when he's with me. And Khabib didn't even like to kick very much until the very end of the last two camps. [That's when] he started getting up the kick."
During Islam Makhachev's previous bout against Thiago Moises, he was seen wanting to trade punches with the Brazilian. But when he was reminded by Javier Mendez to stick to "father's plan," which was evidently the grappling side of things, Makhachev obliged. During the post-fight interview, he told Paul Felder:
"I feel very comfortable when I am striking with him (Thiago Moises), but I don't know, these guys (Javier Mendez and Khabib) always tell me, 'Hey, take him down, take him down'. I want to feel a little bit striking, but I have to listen to my corner, no?"
#1. Islam Makhachev isn't afraid of anyone
Islam Makhachev made his UFC debut back in 2015 and has taken on anyone and everyone who has been presented to him. The only time he pulled out was due to an injury weeks before the fight against Rafael dos Anjos. Ever since he came into the spotlight, he has been calling out top-tier fighters to face him.
In an organization where fighters are ready to prove they are the baddest, Islam Makhachev's callouts have been falling on deaf ears. He has called out Michael Chandler, dos Anjos, Tony Ferguson, Charles Oliveira and now even Conor McGregor.
After his win against Thiago Moises, Islam Makhachev asked Paul Felder why UFC lightweights were avoiding facing him. The former UFC fighter told the Dagestani:
"I can tell you right now, because I just sat here... and I watched what you did in there and I don't think many guys want to be under that pressure. You're always evolving. Your striking is looking better and better each time, and obviously, with Khabib and the rest of these guys in your corner, you're fantastic."
If Islam Makhachev's competition is afraid of him, it is certainly for a valid reason. He is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the UFC lightweight division, with a dominance that reminds people of Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Dagestani fighter is definitely set to rule the division for many years to come.
