Islam Makhachev reveals his true feelings about breaking Khabib Nurmagomedov’s UFC record

Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC lightweight title against Arman Tsarkuyan in the main event of UFC 311 on January 18.

The current record for lightweight title defenses is tied between Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson and BJ Penn, all of whom have three defenses. With a win over Tsarukyan, Makhachev gets the unique opportunity to set a new record for four defenses.

The pressure is on Makhachev, who could soon discover that every lightweight title fight is a traditional fight, setting a new record for any defense. Makhachev also has the prospect of double championship fights with Ilia Topuria or the winner of Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov, with Makhachev's coach backing him to dethrone Dricus Du Plessis at middleweight.

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Islam Makhachev is indifferent to breaking Khabib Nurmagomedov's record at UFC 311

Fans can expect mixed emotions from the Makhachev camp considering he is so close to breaking their friend and mentor Nurmagomedov's record. However, in a recent interview with Shakeil Mahjouri, Makhachev admitted that the data means “nothing.”

“Khabib is here to help us be better than him, to push us, to help us,” Makhachev said. 'Records, all that stuff, it's not for me. I just want to keep my belt.”

Islam Makhachev can break UFC records held by Jon Jones and Anderson Silva

Since being knocked out by Adriano Martins in 2015, Makhachev has had a fourteen-fight UFC winning streak to his name. The current record for longest UFC winning streak is held by Anderson Silva at 16, or Jon Jones at 20 if you ignore his No-Contest against Daniel Cormier, or even 23 without a 'Bones' disqualification for Matt Hamill.

At 33, Makhachev is just entering his athletic prime, and he will have ample opportunity to rack up four or five more wins inside the Octagon. He would also be able to break the infamous statistic of fighters age 35 or older being winless in title fights at lightweight if he doesn't move up to welterweight or middleweight first.

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