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The lightweight title defense record is three. That's it. Every other division has had a dominant champion who remained unbeaten for years. Islam has a great opportunity to solidify himself as the lightweight GOAT. It would be foolish for him to abandon the goal that is right in front of him.
Cejudo won titles in two different weight classes but he's still lower in the GOAT conversation than DJ. Cormier won titles in two different weight classes but he's still lower in the GOAT conversation than Jones or Stipe. Conor is lower in the GOAT conversation than Aldo, Max, or Volk. We just saw Volk get KO'd at the age of 35 and he may end up lower than Aldo in the GOAT conversation if he can't turn things around.
There's something to be said for staying in your primary weight class and building a legacy that is hard to beat. And in the fight game there's a limited amount of time to do it. Islam at 170 is a conversation that should happen in a couple years with several more title defenses under his belt.
Cejudo won titles in two different weight classes but he's still lower in the GOAT conversation than DJ. Cormier won titles in two different weight classes but he's still lower in the GOAT conversation than Jones or Stipe. Conor is lower in the GOAT conversation than Aldo, Max, or Volk. We just saw Volk get KO'd at the age of 35 and he may end up lower than Aldo in the GOAT conversation if he can't turn things around.
There's something to be said for staying in your primary weight class and building a legacy that is hard to beat. And in the fight game there's a limited amount of time to do it. Islam at 170 is a conversation that should happen in a couple years with several more title defenses under his belt.