Can Islam surpass Khabib?

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

If Islam defeats JDM this weekend, he will be champion at two weight classes, something Khabib has never done. He already has a dominating victory over Charles Oliveira who ran through Khabib's best wins and beat one of the best 140s of all time in Volk twice.

While Islam does have an argument on paper, he's looked frankly underwhelming? Against Volk and Poirier Islam did not show the same domination that we've seen from Khabib and we've seen him hurt and knocked out. Even against Oliveira, Islam wasn't able to achieve much with his grappling and got hit with a nasty upkick when he was on top.

If Islam continues to collect wins, I can see him surpassing Khabib's resume on paper. Maybe in 10 years or so when we all age out, newer fans might point rank Islam over Khabib assuming they even care at this point, however I don't think he'll ever surpass Khabib in the eyes of those who have seen both.

not according to DC, being undefeated is more impressive to him.

 

[Angelassassin53]

Their resumes are dead even imo at this current point in time

A 2nd belt a weight class above where he spent his entire career easily puts Islam ahead of Khabib in terms of legacy

 

[Xoleth]

Pros for Khabib:
- he is undefeated
- he could have been champion since 2014, he easily beat RDA, who became champion later
- they say Khabib was just better than Islam during practice, but I don't know if this argument applies in the who is the better fighter discussion

Pros for Islam
- his only loss was a bad stoppage
- he has more title defenses and he is double champ (assuming he wins)
- he also could have been champion earlier

 

[OmegaRugal]

Is Khabib the better fighter or is this the Royce Gracie effect.

By that I mean Khabib came out with a style no one was ready for. Today though everyone is training how to counter Dagastani Wrestling.

It could explain why Portier did much better vs Islam than he did vs Khabib. Maybe the Portier that faced Islam that night beats the best version of Khabib.

We will never know for sure.

 

[nonoob]

Both are top notch fighters, hespect to Kabib and Mak for all they have accomplished.

Mak IS more accomplished overall IF the comparison matrix designates capturing a belt as the highest honor / goal.

FWIW Kabib is simply the better fighter, yet IMHO both always have been respectable warriors.

I'm no fake Dagistan fan...but will give an honest opinion about combat contenders.

​

Cheers to all fighters with high fight IQ's that put in work and training with the best coach/team they can afford to be dominant - the very best they can be ...

and have the balls and killer instinct to actually END fights !



​

 

[Ashslog]

Khabib was more agressive, Islam is more skilled, I would go with Khabib

 

[hswrestler]

Is Khabib the better fighter or is this the Royce Gracie effect.

By that I mean Khabib came out with a style no one was ready for. Today though everyone is training how to counter Dagastani Wrestling.

It could explain why Portier did much better vs Islam than he did vs Khabib. Maybe the Portier that faced Islam that night beats the best version of Khabib.

We will never know for sure.

Imo, they are close, Khabib has looked more dominant but Islam has defeated better fighters. I have Khabib ahead for now, but if Islam could dominate JDM and Ilia, he can move ahead of Khabib.
By dominate, I'd mean a finish or a 4-1/5-0 decision without being in any significant trouble of being knocked out . I don't think Islam would maul either Ilia or JDM due to their quality and because they are more prepared for the dagestani style than the fighters of Khabib's era.

 

[hswrestler]

Is Khabib the better fighter or is this the Royce Gracie effect.

By that I mean Khabib came out with a style no one was ready for. Today though everyone is training how to counter Dagastani Wrestling.

It could explain why Portier did much better vs Islam than he did vs Khabib. Maybe the Portier that faced Islam that night beats the best version of Khabib.

We will never know for sure.

That's a really good point actually. Since Khabib's domination we've had more tape on the dagestani style allowing coaches to come up with "counters".

 

[hbombbisping]

Islam beating Jack will only prove how great Khabib is because Islam is his life long rag doll

 

[Fedorgasm]

If he beats Ilia there would be no doubt

 

[KO Shotz]

Islam will be above Khabib if successful at 170

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Islam does really well at 170, by winning the title and defending several times. He'll surpass Khabib and perhaps even the usual suspects of the top 4 of Fedor, GSP, Jon Jones, Anderson.

 

[cburm]

If Islam defeats JDM this weekend, he will be champion at two weight classes, something Khabib has never done. He already has a dominating victory over Charles Oliveira who ran through Khabib's best wins and beat one of the best 140s of all time in Volk twice.

While Islam does have an argument on paper, he's looked frankly underwhelming? Against Volk and Poirier Islam did not show the same domination that we've seen from Khabib and we've seen him hurt and knocked out. Even against Oliveira, Islam wasn't able to achieve much with his grappling and got hit with a nasty upkick when he was on top.

If Islam continues to collect wins, I can see him surpassing Khabib's resume on paper. Maybe in 10 years or so when we all age out, newer fans might point rank Islam over Khabib assuming they even care at this point, however I don't think he'll ever surpass Khabib in the eyes of those who have seen both.

I think Islam and Khabib are close in terms of quality. Khabib has looked more dominant but Islam has defeated better fighters. I have Khabib ahead for now, but if Islam could dominate JDM and Ilia, he can move ahead of Khabib.
By dominate, I'd mean a finish or a 4-1/5-0 decision without being in any significant trouble of being knocked out . I don't think Islam would Khabib style maul either Ilia or JDM due to their quality and because they are more prepared for the dagestani style than the fighters of Khabib's era.

I guess Khabib has looked better in the gym than Islam and I believe he was the better fighter when Khabib was active but Khabib was also the older more experienced fighter at the time.

Islam has already surpassed khabib..
I don't understand how folks can think differently.

Islam has become the goat lw tying bj penns record for defences.

and of course islams says what he says he's got nothing but respect for khabib there damn near brothers.
Khabib and his father trained islam. Islam probably owes everything in his life to them. He's respectful.

And khabib after his 14 fight wins is living through as a coach like his father.
With his team of guys.

And could you imagine if islam was gloating about how he's better and surpassed him... That's disrespectful.

These guys have a culture and morals,
And appreciation.

 

[cburm]

Islam does really well at 170, by winning the title and defending several times. He'll surpass Khabib and perhaps even the usual suspects of the top 4 of Fedor, GSP, Jon Jones, Anderson.

Silva had like 16 or 18 consecutive title defences... No mw is gonna beat that any time soon.

Gsp had like 12 or 14 at ww the division that had the most wrestlers..

Good luck. Islam has 4 title defences at lw he should get 1 more and cement himself as the lw goat.

Islam is lucky to fight twice a year... So his chances are like 0 on that. Fedor was undefeated for almost 10 years...and has more hw title defences thatle probably never be beaten.

As noone is yet to make it passed 4 hw same as lw.

You're guys opinions don't really mean anything.. the only glazing khabibs record is his die hards and DC his buddy.
All those guys have more title wins

Than khabib has even faught in the UFC...

And nobody mentions Colby's or usmens 14 streak and 15 streak.. just glazers. Islam isn't the first or the only one.. they both are behind jose aldo and mighty mouse any how.

 

[SkinnyClaw]

I think people make too much of Khabib never getting cut or dropped, these things can happen so easily in a fight, even a punch whiffing past can slice your face open, the fact it has never happened to him definitely has an element of luck.

As far as Dustin, he has had experience fighting Khabib, and a camp to prepare for BSD who was also looking to wrestle- a very long time to improve his wrestling defence, so I don't like how people look down on that win.

Khabib was already a fighter when Islam started training with him, comparing old sparring footage is pointless. There are guys in the gym who whooped me when I first joined and now I'm whooping them and there are guys I whooped when they started and they whoop me, because they train 5x more than me.

I think Islam is a more complete fighter with a better resume, and would beat Khabib in a fight, despite not looking as dominant.

 

[Gregoire1]

He has long surpassed him.

 

[Gregoire1]

peak h2h - toss-up
peak potential record vs all-time best opponents in LW and WW - slight edge Islam
actual career resume already - Islam by far

 

[HHJ]

Who cares? I just like Khabib more, but Islam is an exceptional fighter.

 

[Jitter]

I feel Khabib has a huge mental edge. Discipline, fight IQ, and just plain mental toughness that the other guys lack.

 

[JustOnce]

I think Islam has done much more than Khabib.

I like Islam a lot more as well, but Khabib kinda grew on me after retirement.

The question is, IF Islam doesn't win tommorow, is he still better than Khabib?

I still think he has done more even if he loses. IF he wins, that 's no brainer.