Final October, the plan lengthy laid out by Khabib Nurmagomedov and his father, the late Abdulmanap, got here to fruition in Abu Dhabi.
One successor and two years on from the ultimate protection of Khabib’s reign, the Dagestani’s childhood pal and protégé Islam Makhachev secured his place on the light-weight throne. That got here because of the UFC 280 principal occasion, which noticed Makhachev decimate former divisional kingpin Charles Oliveira by way of submission.
Having already defended the belt as soon as, rising from enemy territory with the belt nonetheless in his possession after a close decision win over featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski, Makhachev is starting to forge a powerful legacy at 155 kilos.
In accordance with one former title challenger and opponent of Khabib’s, nonetheless, he is nonetheless lacking one key ingredient.
Iaquinta: ‘Makhachev Wants A McGregor’
Throughout a latest interview with The Schmo, UFC light-weight veteran Al Iaquinta assessed how Makhachev’s profession stacks as much as that of his mentor.
Iaquinta, who went the five-round distance with “The Eagle” of their title combat at UFC 223 in 2018, believes that Makhachev nonetheless has some work to do earlier than surpassing Khabib’s legacy within the sport.
However with the extension of his reign and one different essential part, “Raging Al” thinks it is a chance.
“Islam, he is wanting robust to beat,” Iaquinta stated. “Khabib proper now, I feel, is forward of him. However Islam’s on his manner, for certain. I feel he wants like, a rival. Khabib had Conor (McGregor). I feel that was an enormous rival. After which he obtained the title, defended it a pair instances. I feel (Makhachev wants), perhaps like, an enormous rivalry to place him over after which a pair title defenses, however he is on his manner.”
Khabib’s rivalry with McGregor stays probably the most memorable and heated within the sport’s historical past. Whereas its bodily conclusion got here within the type of a post-fight brawl at UFC 229, they’ve continued to commerce barbs within the years since.
Though Makhachev is but to have an analogous feud, he seems to be chasing historical past in a manner that Khabib didn’t. Following Leon Edwards’ welterweight title protection earlier this yr, the Russian standout hinted towards a push for two-divisional glory down the line.
Ought to that ultimately come to fruition, it should undoubtedly assist Makhachev’s case in comparisons together with his mentor.
I need Leon subsequent, October in Abu Dhabi 👊🏼
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) March 19, 2023
For now, Makhachev is seemingly awaiting an opponent for his second protection on the deliberate Abu Dhabi-held occasion later this yr.
Whereas discuss of a rematch with Volkanovski has existed, it appears likely that Beneil Dariush can finally secure his place opposite the champ with a victory over Oliveira in Vancouver subsequent month.
- Learn Additionally: Islam Makhachev Praises Ikram Aliskerov For Dominant Debut At UFC 288
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