Islam Makhachev Should Be Involved in The GOAT Conversation

If undisputed UFC lightweight champion and number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Islam Makhachev wasn’t already in your GOAT conversation, well he should be now.

Back in 2023, Makhachev was set to defend his UFC lightweight title against former foe, Charles Oliveria in a rematch from their fight in 2022 at UFC 294. The week before the fight, Oliveria sustained an injury that would force him to withdraw from the contest.

The UFC would go asking around for replacements and Alexander Volkanovski stepped up on short notice. According to Dana White, Makhachev’s response to taking the fight was something that will go down as one of the most iconic quotes by a UFC fighter.

Makhachev would win by a brutal head kick in the first round and cemented himself as the better fighter. He would then defeat former interim champion, Dustin Poirier by fifth-round submission at UFC 302 to retain the lightweight title.

This weekend, Makhachev planned to defend his throne against the number-one-ranked lightweight, Arman Tsarukyan, at UFC 311 in Los Angeles. Tsarukyan unfortunately sustained a back injury while cutting weight which forced him to withdraw from the contest.

While Makhachev made championship weight, the UFC was able to keep the main event alive. White revealed on the UFC morning weigh-in show that number ten-ranked, Renato Moicano would stepping in. He will now challenge Makhachev for the lightweight title in the main event of UFC 311.

Makhachev will not only be putting his lightweight title on the line. He is putting his 14-fight winning streak on the line as well.

His mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, is considered the greatest lightweight of all time. But we need to start seriously putting Makhachev in that conversation too. Nurmagomedov had a similar experience before challenging for the undisputed lightweight title at UFC 223 against Al Iaquinta. However, Makhachev having this happen to him twice is something that you couldn’t have scripted to start the year.

When people think of the greatest fighters in the history of the UFC, they’ll always think of fighters like Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, Demetrious Johnson, and Nurmagomedov. However, Makhachev’s ability to fight anyone, at any time, anywhere, is what puts a fighter in the GOAT conversation.

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About Post Author

Ryan Schaller

Ryan is a student at Rowan University, specializing in Sports Communication & Media with a focus on Journalism. He currently serves as a Sports Information Intern for Rowan Athletics, a Media/PR Intern for Cage Fury Fighting Championships, and a Staff Writer & Beat Reporter for The Whit, Rowan’s school newspaper.

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