In his incredible career, Islam Makhachev has built up victories than three men who have kept UFC gold in the past.
He defeated Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier in successive fights to achieve the biggest victories on his record so far.
After the events of UFC 315 in Montreal last weekend, it seems that Makhachev will be confronted with Jack della Maddalena for the Welterweight title in the near future.
Makhachev does have opponents with whom he can be confronted with 155 pounds, but the champion has been so dominant in the weight class that he deserves this opportunity.
During his turnout the ranking, the Russian found it difficult to be matched with the top names of the division with a former champion in one way or another.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Islam Makhachev and Rafael Dos Anjos were adjusted three separate times
There was no argument that the performances of Islam Makhachev were not impressive during his climb on the lightweight ladder, but if one thing was missing in his CV, it was the big names.
Before he fought for the lightweight title, the biggest victory on his record was probably than Hooker he quickly worked on UFC 267.
Makhachev fought Charles Oliveira for the belt after stopping Bobby [King] Green who replaced Beneil Dariush in the short term.
His victory on Hooker was also a change of opponent after Rafael Dos Anjos was taken from the event that canceled their matchup for the third time.
Makhachev and 'RDA' were booked for the first time to tackle each other on October 24 in 2020, but the Brazilian was removed from the game after he had tested positively on COVID-19.
Their matchup was again planned for November 14, but this time it was Makhachev who withdrew because of a Staph infection in which Paul Felder took his place at the last minute.
Although DOS Anjos was not in the best form after moving to the Welterweight division, it would have been a big chance for the rising Russian to beat a former champion.
Shall we finally see that Rafael Dos Anjos meets Islam Makhachev?
Both parties have presented a fight on 170 pounds for Saturday night! 👀 pic.twitter.com/iikuahtalx
– UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) March 1, 2022
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Rafael Dos Anjos still competes in the lightweight division at 40
Rafael Dos Anjos made his UFC debut all the way back in 2008, where he was stopped by Jeremy Stephens on UFC 91.
After a loss for Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2014, 'RDA' bounced back with a profit reak who would see him win and defend the lightweight title before he lost it to Eddie Alvarez in July 2016.
He even came close to participating in one of the biggest fights in the UFC history until an injury forced him from the champion US champion collision with Conor McGregor.
On UFC 308 last October, Dos Anjos rose a leg injury in his fight with Geoff Neal, which resulted in his third consecutive defeat in the Octagon.