Islam Makhachev wants to outdo Khabib Nurmagomedov's lightweight record

Islam Makhachev sees himself as the heir to former lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is also his coach, mentor and friend. The only obstacle on his way to the throne is Charles Oliveira, who he faces for the title at UFC 280 this weekend.

If Makhachev emerges victorious, he eventually wants to outdo Nurmagomedov's lightweight title reign. If that goal is achieved, the Dagestani standout wants to move up to welterweight.

When asked if he wanted to match or exceed Nurmagomedov's record, Makhachev told reporters at the UFC 280 media day:

"I want to do more title defense and jump to the other division."

Catch Islam Makhachev's comments (7:40) below:

While Khabib Nurmagomedov's name inevitably pops up in G.O.A.T conversations, detractors often bring up the duration of his lightweight title reign.

'The Eagle' defeated Al Iaquinta to win the vacant lightweight title at UFC 223 in 2018. Over the course of the next two years, Nurmagomedov defended his throne a total of three times, against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, before hanging up his gloves for good in October 2020.

Critics also note that two of his opponents, McGregor and Iaquinta, were coming off long periods of inaction when they faced the Russian.

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Coach hails Islam Makhachev as a better striker than Khabib Nurmagomedov ever was

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev have grown up training together in Dagestan under the tutelage of Nurmagomedov's father Abdulmanap. While 'The Eagle' was the first to realize 'Father's plan', Makhachev is now following in his footsteps.

Both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev called the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose their American home, training under Javier Mendez. According to Mendez, Makhachev is even better than his predecessor in one aspect.

The AKA head coach explained that round-the-year striking training has already made Makhachev a better striker than 'The Eagle' ever was. Mendez said in an interview with MMA Junkie:

"Islam was smart enough to train with other people, he has great coaches at home that are working with him. His striking is further ahead than Khabib's ever was, only because of the fact that Islam was working year-round on his striking."

Watch Javier Mendez's interview with MMA Junkie below: