After Khabib Nurmagomedov retired, he began supporting his beloved friend, Islam, so that he could get the belt. After beating the top contenders and one of the greatest featherweight fighters two times in a row (who came up to lightweight for the title), it seems like even at Lightweight, one of the most competitive divisions of the UFC, there is no one to beat Islam Makhachev now.
Islam Makhachev is fundamentally a wrestler and sambo fighter, adopting a southpaw stance. He excels in countering opponents’ attacks with a powerful left-hand counter after slipping and actively utilizes unique kicks and knee kicks in the clinch. With a well-rounded skill set and excellent stamina, many opponents tend to avoid facing Makhachev.
Often compared to his teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev is generally praised for his superior technique and speed in contrast to Khabib’s dominance in grappling and wrestling. While Khabib focuses on a defensive in-and-out style, primarily using striking for setups in wrestling and grappling, Makhachev employs a more aggressive approach, incorporating offensive punches and kicks in a Muay Thai-like striking style.
Unlike Khabib, whose standing strikes are reserved for grappling setups, Makhachev employs a diverse striking style with a focus on both offense and defense. His footwork, head movement, and active use of a high guard contribute to minimizing the damage received, in contrast to Khabib’s relentless pressure. However, Makhachev’s striking style, which involves countering, has occasionally exposed him to danger as opponents attempt to counter his counters.
In terms of grappling and wrestling, Khabib displays a more aggressive and dominant style, pushing opponents against the fence and pursuing takedowns, ground and pound, and guard passes simultaneously. Makhachev, on the other hand, utilizes wrestling primarily for takedown defense and counters, often aiming for judo-style takedowns and sweeps. While not as overtly aggressive as Khabib in cage control and ground striking, Makhachev does exhibit powerful wrestling when needed, similar to Khabib’s strong wrestling pressure in certain situations.
Makhachev’s strengths also lie in his ability to catch kicks effectively, leading to lower body takedowns or transitioning into close-range striking combinations. While his ground control may not be overwhelming, he actively pursues a diverse range of submissions, showcasing a more varied and effective submission game compared to Khabib.
Notably, Makhachev excels against jiu-jitsu practitioners, strategically wearing down opponents on the ground, reading their movements, and capitalizing on opportunities. Despite a less aggressive ground-and-pound approach, Makhachev’s control and wrist control are commendable, particularly when opponents attempt to escape.
Critics have pointed out weaknesses in Makhachev’s striking defense and durability. Instances where he suffered counters after getting caught in striking exchanges, such as against Davi Ramos and Adriano Martins, have been highlighted. However, Makhachev has shown resilience by quickly recovering from these situations.
In recent years, Makhachev has evolved his striking game, improving his distance fighting and speed, making it a strength rather than a vulnerability. His ability to avoid significant strikes is evident in his low significant strike absorption rate, even competing at one of the lowest rates in the UFC across all weight classes.
Daniel Cormier, a former UFC champion and teammate of Khabib and Makhachev, praised Makhachev’s pure wrestling skills over Khabib’s in the Dc & Helwani Podcast, highlighting Makhachev’s proficiency in freestyle wrestling.
While initially overshadowed by Khabib’s impact due to a more safety-focused grappling approach, Makhachev has proven himself to be a formidable fighter over time. His technical and sharp standing strikes, along with a distinctive clinch game, set him apart and showcase a different but equally strong skill set compared to his teammate.
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