Islam Makhachev is quite possibly one of the most dominant champions on the current UFC roster. having clinched the lightweight title in 2022, the Dagestani fighter finally fulfilled his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s prophecy. However, despite his storied accomplishments, Islam has always held just a level below the man he owes a lot of his success to.
For those unaware, Islam Makhachev made his way into the UFC in 2015, training alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was a surging contender at the time. Over the years, Khabib would go on to secure the UFC lightweight title and after making three title defenses, would call time on his career, having made a promise to his mother and late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Thus, Islam was then seen as the prodigal successor to the throne. Despite the hype behind him, Makhachev only fought unranked opponents up until 2021 and 2022 where he then faced the likes of Dan Hooker and Bobby Green with the latter yielding him a title shot. Thereafter, he would go on to clinch the vacant lightweight title in a bout against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.
Why is Khabib Nurmagomedov held in higher regard than Islam Makhachev?
For the most part, Khabib Nurmagomedov is hailed as the undisputed GOAT of the lightweight division. Having made three title defenses against the likes of Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje, effectively sealing his legacy among the greatest lightweight champions. Despite his unblemished resume coming under a lot of scrutiny over the years, his feats as a champion remain unchallenged.
Notably, Khabib is not even the only lightweight champion with three title defenses as BJ Penn, Frankie Edgar, and Benson Henderson all have the same amount as well. However, his dominance throughout his UFC career, even before touching lightweight gold, has sealed his legacy a head above the rest. At the same time, Islam Makhachev, who is on the cusp of making his third title defense, is not as highly regarded.
With another title defense, Islam Makhachev (@MAKHACHEVMMA) would tie BJ Penn and Khabib Nurmagomedov for the most lightweight title defenses in @UFC history.
More Makhachev before #UFC302 ➡️: https://t.co/A7Qrf4mw4rhttps://t.co/A7Qrf4mw4r
— UFC News (@UFCNews) May 22, 2024
For the most part, the main reason behind it due to the shocking nature of how he captured the title against an offbeat Charles Oliveira. That, along with his heavily disputed first fight against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 did not do him any favors either. Despite knocking out the #1 P4P fighter in the rematch, there is still an asterisk next to his wins, with both of them coming against a featherweight.
How can Islam Makhachev surpass Khabib’s legacy?
Initially, many were not convinced of Islam Makhachev’s credentials, owing to him arguably jumping the line for the title shot in the first place. As mentioned previously, Islam’s resume up until his title shot fails to impress. Thus, whilst he does get a lot of credit for his wins since then, they have further been marred with allegations of I.V. and steroid use. Not only that, but the fact that he is yet to face an actual lightweight is also a drawback for his case.
Notably, UFC 302 marks the first time that Islam Makhachev will defend his title against a lightweight. Not only that, but Dustin Poirier is only the second top-five-ranked contender (at the time of fighting) that Islam will have faced. Thus, in order to cast off all the doubts and surpass his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy, Islam will have to do a lot of work. For one, wins against three lightweight contenders are a must.
🚨 Islam Makhachev confirms that he was offered the Leon Edwards fight to headline #UFC300, but turned it down because of Ramadan
(via. @MMAJunkie) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/SjaLhEUURw
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 14, 2024
Whilst his position is not entirely his fault, he must double down and at least do what his mentor did before him. Additionally, the surefire way of establishing himself a step above the rest would be to challenge Leon Edwards for the welterweight title. Whilst the fight has been touted previously and was even in consideration for UFC 300, Islam Makhachev being a dominant two-divisional champion would make him the undisputed best among the lightweight greats.