'%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,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAcACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABcAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgkQAAICAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAAQCBRETMUEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEEQACAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgAhwQQR/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDN2hstfV0l6k6oxrbGaM1tGeICyon0Ec+H4ZO9YMRKudQ7MCKF5kGJ8E//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Jon Anik has a lot of admiration for what Islam Makhachev accomplished in 2022 by earning a title shot and submitting Charles Oliveira to become the UFC lightweight champion.
While speaking with Daniel Cormier and Ryan Clark on their 2022 DC & RC Awards show, Anik mentioned that he couldn’t think of 2022 without acknowledging Makhachev, saying:
"Certainly, Islam Makhachev in totality, I think this was like the crowning. So I will never think of 2022 without him."
Anik also brought up that the reigning lightweight champion had plenty of pressure as he represented Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired in 2020 and now serves as one of his coaches, along with Javier Mendez at AKA. He mentioned that the added pressure of living up to 'The Eagle's legacy is another reason why Makhachev deserves the recognition, saying:
"I'm not sure any non-champion has had as much pressure in UFC history to become a champion as Islam Makhachev, and you know what, he did it with flying colors and beat a guy in Charles Oliveira that nobody could beat for half a decade. So, Islam's gotta be mentioned in any sort of long-term 2022 conversation." [20:00 - 20:17]
The UFC commentator brought up a valid point as there had been a lot of talk on whether Makhachev could replicate Nurmagomedov's success. Since 'The Eagle' retired, he has constantly said that it was his protege's time to take over the division, which he did at UFC 280.
Check out the full show below:
Jon Anik says Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya was the storyline of 2022
There have been plenty of incredible storylines surrounding some of the biggest UFC fights of 2022, however, Jon Anik told Daniel Cormier and Ryan Clark on their 2022 DC & RC Awards show that he believes Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya was the biggest storyline of the year.
Pereira, who defeated Adesanya twice in kickboxing, transitioned to MMA and was fast-tracked to a UFC middleweight title shot. Anik mentioned that the backstory between the two was so intriguing that it's hard to deny it being the top UFC storyline of the year, saying:
"Alex Pereira set out on this pursuit cause he wanted to beat Adesanya in an MMA setting, that was the goal. Now 'Izzy' was the middleweight champion - one of the greatest middleweights of all-time - when Alex Pereira finally realized that fight, but this was a methotical plan by Alex Pereira and his team to get back to this fight...So to me, Alex Pereira for sure." [19:10 - 19:50]
