Has Islam Makhachev Surpassed Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Legacy After UFC 330?
Last Saturday in the main UFC 330, Islam Makhachev took on Ian Garry in a much anticipated welterweight bout. Ahead of the fight, the hype was massive and Makhachev was expected to continue his winning streak.
Throughout the fight week Garry was confident and did manage to give Makhachev a competitive bout. However, it wasn’t enough and Dagestani won the fight via unanimous decision.
With the win, Makhachev beat former UFC welterweight champion Anderson Silva‘s incredible 16-fight win streak. With the win, Makhachev has now come closer to becoming one of greatest to ever step inside the UFC Octagon.
Makhachev rose to fame after his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov decided to retire from professional fighting. As expected Makhachev was always compared to the ‘Eagle’ and over the time he has managed to achieve more.
Islam Makhachev has succeeded Khabib Nurmagomedov’s achievements
Khabib Nurmagomedov is regarded as one of the most dominant fighters in the history of UFC with an unbeaten record. The fighter won the lightweight title back in 2018 and then went on to defend it thrice before retirement.
The fighter left the sport in his prime following his late father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov‘s death. UFC CEO Dana White tried his best and was ready to give Nurmagomedov huge money for returning back to the promotion.
However, that never happened and many experts use Nurmagomedov’s premature exit against him in the legacy debate. In comparison to that, Islam Makhachev defended his UFC lightweight belt four times then moved up to the welterweight division.
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Islam Makhachev’s welterweight rise marks a milestone Khabib Nurmagomedov never reached
In a competitive promotion like UFC, moving up divisions and winning a championship represents one of the sport’s greatest achievements. Last year, Islam Makhachev accomplished that feat by defeating Jack Della Maddalena and capturing the welterweight championship in impressive fashion.
At UFC 330, Makhachev successfully defended his title against Ian Garry, further strengthening his growing legacy across multiple weight classes. By accomplishing what Khabib Nurmagomedov never did, Makhachev has sparked debates among fans and experts about their legacies and overall career.
Many now believe Makhachev has surpassed his legendary mentor, especially after establishing himself as an elite champion in another division. Experts have also praised Makhachev as a more complete fighter, particularly highlighting his improved striking alongside his world-class grappling abilities.
However, comparisons between the two remain subjective, with Nurmagomedov’s dominance at lightweight continuing to define one of MMA’s greatest careers. Ultimately, it will be fascinating to see how much Makhachev achieves before retirement and whether his accomplishments eclipse Nurmagomedov.
READ MORE: Islam Makhachev Defeats Ian Garry At UFC 330 And Makes UFC History With 17-Fight Win Streak
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