Dillon Danis (NY Post)
ESPN’s Max Kellerman compared Islam Makhachev to Floyd Mayweather and Kobe Bryant following the Russian’s victory over Thiago Moises recently
Islam Makhachev earned a fourth-round submission victory over Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31. The Russian thereby, brought up his eighth consecutive victory in the UFC, with his last loss coming, way back in 2015.
The win also propelled Makhachev to number 5 in the lightweight rankings, and the man from Dagestan will soon be facing top-ranked lightweights.
Famed ESPN journalist Max Kellerman made a rather interesting claim about Makhachev. He compared the fighter to sporting legends Floyd Mayweather and the late Kobe Bryant. The point highlighted by Kellerman here is that – “all three take the initiative.”
Kellerman was quoted as saying:
“Islam Makhachev reminds me, in his way, of Floyd Mayweather and Kobe Bryant. He takes the initiative- even though it’s wrestling and it’s not obvious, there’s no big things happening- he is initiating, the other guy is reacting to him, and for every reaction, he has a counter…They not only have put the time in, that they have the technique, but they also think faster than the other guy. The more you struggle, it’s like quicksand, the worse it gets for you.”
According to Makhachev’s coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, he will be fighting at least one more time this year. Rafael dos Anjos, Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson are the possible opponents for Makhachev’s next fight.
It has been a slow but steady ride for Makhachev. He is slowly beginning to get the attention he deserves, after racking up win after win.
However, Kellerman’s recent comparisons drew criticism from Bellator fighter Dillon Danis. He dropped a comment on the ESPN MMA’s post of the same writing – “Is this a joke.”
Danis and Makhachev have had their history at the notorious post-fight brawl following UFC 229. The grappling artist was attacked by Khabib, Makhachev and many others from ‘The Eagle’s crew.
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