Islam Makhachev has often been likened to fellow Dagestani Khabib Nurmagomedov
Makhachev is slowly but steadily becoming the next big thing in the lightweight division.
The Russian has been on a 7-fight unbeaten streak; undefeated since October 2015. Plus, he just has one loss in his MMA career.
Makhachev’s fighting style has often brought him comparisons with the lightweight GOAT Khabib Nurmagomedov.
He has largely been untroubled on the ground, just like Khabib. It was pretty evident in his recent victory over Drew Dober at UFC 259.
Coach Javier Mendez who trains both Khabib and Makhachev spoke about the comparisons between the two in Talking Brawls with Niall McGrath.
Surprisingly, Mendez stated that Makhachev’s overall game was better than Khabib’s.
Here is what Mendez had to say:
“He was dominant way back then, he got better and better. His overall game is slightly better than Khabib’s overall game. The standup to the kicking to the ground. Remember too, Islam was a two-time Sambo Champion too…Islam also adapted to the striking quicker than Khabib.”
Javier Mendez warns Islam Makhachev of his next opponent
Makhachev is scheduled to face Thiago Moises on the 17th of July, later this year. It is quite a tricky fight for the Russian, since Moises is ranked 5 places below Makhachev (Makhachev is 10 and Moises is 15).
A loss might peg back his quest for lightweight greatness, and that is exactly what Mendez had to say in the same interview.
Mendez said:
“He’s fighting a very dangerous guy that is not even in the top 15 [Moises recently broke into top 15]. But, he’s still very dangerous. He has to take care of him, like he did against Drew Dober…If he doesn’t people are going to go -‘ah Islam is not this, Islam is not that’.”
A win here for Makhachev will put him in line for a fight against any of the top ranked lightweights. If he can keep carrying his incredible momentum, he might be ending up as one of the greats of the game.
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