Islam Makhachev continues to be compared to his head coach and old friend, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
After his recent victory over Renato Moicano at UFC 311, Islam Makhachev broke the record for most title defenses in the lightweight division, which exceeds his head coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Since 'The Eagle' retiring shocking in 2020, MMA fans and experts Makhakev compared him because he trained among his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
The 33-year-old hopes to go better than Nurmagomedov by becoming a UFC-doubles champion, or even possibly a triple champion, who surprisingly summoned Dricus Du Plessis after his last victory.
Read more: Joe Rogan emphasizes 'Key' Reason Khabib Nurmagomedov and continue to win the team of Islam Makhachev
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Dricus du Plessis -Brands Makhachev 'Almost Khabib'
After Makhachev called Sensational for a central weight fight against Dricus du Plessis, the middleweight champion responded for the first time to claim that it would be an 'easy payment day' for him.
'Stillknocks' is planned to defend its 185 pound title against Sean Strickland on UFC 312 on 8 February.
Prior to his Rematch against Strickland, the South African champion was asked to give a one-word answer to his response to Makhachev about a switch to middleweight and he decided to try to fall under the skin of his potential future opponent.
“Almost Khabib,” Du Plessis told Shakmma.
Dricus is generally considered to be one of the best current troubleshooters in the UFC who made his last two opponents during pre-fighting press conferences.
Although Khabib is generally considered one of the most dominant champions of all time, he often falls under the criteria when it comes to labeling the greatest mixed martial artists of all time because he has not won a belt in a second weight class.
What is the chance of Du Plessis vs Makhachev?
There is no doubt that Makhachev will eventually make a switch to Welterweight and that could come, but the jumping of two weight classes is currently extremely unlikely.
UFC Baas, Dana White has responded to Makhachev's desire to fight for the title of the middleweight, which states that it is unlikely, but he will consider allowing the Russian to move to 170 pounds.
However, there is apparently a middleweight version of Makhachev that is the next one to fight for the title of 185 pounds and that is Khamzat Chimaev.
With 'Borz' then in line to fight the winner of Du Plessis vs Strickland, the South African champion explained how the unbeaten phenomenon can be defeated.
“I can beat Khamzat, I am sure Khamzat is photographing (for a Takedown) … is Khamzat going to bring me down? Absolute. I hope he can get me down, but then he has to deal with me on the floor.
'Can I bring Khamzat down? Absolute. Are I going to bring Khamzat down? Absolutely … I think everyone has deteriorated and tries to avoid that removal. No, no, no. I am not afraid of struggling Khamzat, I'm going to fight Khamzat where the fight goes, “he said.
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