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Islam Makhachev, the current UFC lightweight champion, finds himself in a familiar shadow as comparisons to his mentor and teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov continue to be drawn. Nurmagomedov, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, retired with a perfect 29-0 record and a legacy that few can match.
Makhachev, with a record of 25-1, is carving out his own path of dominance in the division. Surrounded by fellow greats at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), including former champion Daniel Cormier, Makhachev's skillset has drawn comparisons to Nurmagomedov's, with some even suggesting he may be more dangerous overall due to his striking ability.
Cormier, speaking on his YouTube channel, highlighted Makhachev's potential, noting that the champion is just one win away from tying Nurmagomedov's record for most title defenses in the division. Makhachev's first two defenses came against former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, with the second fight ending in a first-round knockout.
With top contenders like Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Arman Tsarukyan occupied with matchups at UFC 300, Makhachev is eyeing a return in June. Cormier sees a potential matchup with Dustin Poirier as a way to further elevate Makhachev's status, similar to how Poirier's victory over Conor McGregor helped him become a star.
"If you're trying to build a star, that star has to go through the previous star," Cormier explained. "It feels like this is the way to help and further make Islam Makhachev a star."
As Makhachev continues his reign over the lightweight division, the comparisons to Nurmagomedov will persist. However, with each victory, Makhachev is proving that he is a force to be reckoned with in his own right, and the future looks bright for the champion.