Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev is said to be the one to carry on the legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov
Islam Makhachev is one of the best active lightweights in the UFC. The Dagestani fighter is currently on an eight-fight winning streak, and has also broken into the top 5 of the lightweight rankings.
A lot of comparisons have been drawn between him and his coach Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Khabib is considered to be the greatest lightweighter of all time. With a record of 29-0 he retired from the sport last year.
It is believed that Makhachev would be the one who will carry forward the legacy of Khabib.
In a recent interview with Combate, fellow UFC lightweight Rafael dos Anjos weighed in on the comparisons between Khabib and Makhachev.
Although, dos Anjos claimed that Makhachev was the more technical fighter, he did say that Khabib is someone who “gives more to the fight” and has infinite gas.
Dos Anjos was quoted as saying:
“I think they are totally different fighters…Islam is a talented guy, but I think Khabib is different. This I say listening to people who trained with the two of them…Islam is more technical than Khabib, he has more technique, but he doesn’t have much gas. He keeps saving himself and gives that blow, gets in the position he wants and keeps holding on. Khabib, on the other hand, achieves more, has more desire and more gas. Just looking at it, I can already see it. Khabib is a guy who gives more rhythm to the fight, pulls more, doesn’t tie so much. He’s a guy who plays forward. Islam is more technical but plays not to expose itself too much.” [via Combate]
Rafael dos Anjos will be taking on Islam Makhachev next. The fight is set for UFC 267 in Fight Island in October 30, 2021.
Dos Anjos is coming off a war against Paul Felder in November 2020. He won the fight via. a narrow split decision.
Makhachev, on the other hand, recently beat Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31 in July.
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