Islam Makhachev has been compared to Khabib Nurmagomedov right from when he stepped into the UFC and he faces Drew Dober at UFC 259
Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov seem to be going hand in hand at the moment. Ever since Makhachev made it to the UFC a lot has been said about him and his likeness to Khabib.
The pair have trained together since they were children and continue to do so. Further, many have claimed that Makhachev is destined to be a UFC Lightweight champion but the 29-year-old faces Drew Dober in his next outing.
Makhachev was speaking to the press ahead of his UFC 259 fight and was asked about creating his own path and not just following Khabib’s.
The Russian sounded confident in his abilities and suggested that things would change after his next fight:
“I think after this fight, if I finish Drew, everything is going to be changed because it’s going to be seven-fight win streak and like in my division, not a lot of people have a win streak like this.”
Makhachev also wanted a top fighter for his next outing, someone who is ranked in the top 10, at least:
“That’s why I think in next one they are going to give me some guy from maybe top 5, top 10 and I am gonna show us my skills.”
Makhachev had been scheduled to fight former UFC Champion Rafael dos Anjos twice but that clash fell out.
The 29-year-old was asked who he wanted to face next and named Dos Anjos as one of the possible options. He also brought up Tony Ferguson but claimed that it didn’t matter who he faced as long as someone was free.
Ferguson or Dos Anjos would be excellent bouts for Makhachev, especially since they are ranked.
Makhachev’s agent, Ali Abdelaziz, also has brought up the Ferguson bout several times and it will be interesting to see if this is set up soon.
Makhachev does have a lot of hype and he could create his own legacy should he first beat Dober and then win the UFC gold.
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