Islam Makhachev's manager has a very high opinion of the UFC lightweight champion.
Ali Abdelaziz has nurtured the careers of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Henry Cejudo, Kamaru Usman and many more of MMA's biggest stars.
UFC pound-for-pound number one contender Islam Makhachev is currently on his roster of fighters ahead of his 155-pound title defense against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on January 18.
It's safe to say that Abdelaziz expects his star client to get through his fourth title defense before taking on the welterweight, middleweight and even light heavyweight champions.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Ali Abdelaziz predicts Alex Pereira vs. Islam Makhachev
Alex Pereira has been utterly dominant since moving up to light heavyweight in 2023.
'Poatan' has won five fights, defeated four ex-champs and stopped all but one of his 205-pound opponents to cement his place on the pound-for-pound list alongside Makhachev.
A fight between the two men seems highly unlikely considering the 50-pound weight difference. However, Abdelaziz believes Makhchev can overcome the massive size disadvantage by stopping Pereira and taking his title.
“Arman is an absolute beast, he's very tough. I think Arman will be a champion, but I don't think that's the case right now,” he told MMA Junkie. 'It's not his time. He's young. I don't think a 155 to 185 pound guy can beat Islam Makhachev. It doesn't exist. I believe 155, 170, 185, I believe Islam can defeat anyone on any given day.
“This is what I believe in because of what he showed me: the development, the improvement. I think Islam will beat Alex Pereira at 205, I do too. I swear by Allah.
“I think Islam Makhachev will beat Alex Pereira. He's just going to take him down and finish him, subdue him. Alex Pereira can knock out anyone on the planet if he touches you, but I think Islam Makhachev is that good.”
Is Islam Makhachev one of the best fighters of all time?
Abdelaziz believes Makhachev is well on his way to becoming the greatest fighter in UFC history.
The MMA manager says no one comes close to the Russian phenom in terms of skills, and he also insists that the level of competition he faces is better than that of the man most people consider the GOAT, Jon Jones.
“Skill after skill, I think he's one of the best fighters, the most complete fighters we've ever seen. It's not Demetrious Johnson, it's nobody.”
“The man has finished seven of his last eight opponents. He defeated the pound-for-pound No. 1 [Alexander Volkanovski. The caliber of fighters he beat is not like who Jon Jones beat, and that’s no disrespect to Jon Jones. He’s amazing, but he’s beaten Ciryl Gane, who can’t wrestle. He beat Stipe [Miocic]who is a grandfather. He's old. He's a legend, of course.
“Islam Makhachev did not go to a split decision with Thiago Santos. It doesn't happen. He smashes people's faces. He makes them look like they don't even belong there, but we'll see. January 18th one more for Islam Makhachev, and I think he will make it look easy.”
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