Dana White: Makhachev Has Potential to Go on Record-Breaking Title Defense Run

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

Islam Makhachev is only one successful title defense from tying the UFC’s all-time record at lightweight.


The American Kickboxing Academy product authored his second successful defense at UFC 294 with a first-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The lightweight record of three championship defenses is currently held by Khabib Nurmagomedov, B.J. Penn, Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson.

With an upcoming itinerary that likely includes fights against Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje, Makhachev could suprass that record as early as 2024 if all goes well.

“He keeps doing what he’s doing, you’ve just got to keep grinding, knocking them down one by one and it will eventually happen,” UFC CEO Dana White said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference.

“The truth is when you look at Khabib — and nothing against Khabib, Khabib came in and won the title and defended it — but this kid could go on a defense run that absolutely blows everybody away that ever held the belt in that division.”

Makhachev draws plenty of comparisons to Nurmagomedov, who retired in 2020 with a 29-0 mark. Because he does have one blemish on his record, Makhachev hasn’t received quite as much acclaim as “The Eagle,” but according to White, he is on the right track for building his own lasting legacy.

“[UFC 294] was a big step in the right direction,” White said. “The guy’s been dominant and then he goes in, all the controversy that came off the last fight, and he finishes this fight the way that he did. There’s no excuses. It’s not like, ‘Oh, it went into the third round, Volkanovski didn’t have time to train.’ He went in there and viciously, impressively finished this fight with a Cro Cop-esque kick to the head.


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https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/D...Go-on-RecordBreaking-Title-Defense-Run-191487

 

[Reign009]

I've been saying it for a while and I got so much shit for it.

As time goes on, less and less people will disagree with me, but I'm sure some still will.

Islam is a special talent.

 

[Brigfa2]

LW never had a long reigning champs like GSP, Silva or Jones so it's not hard to break the record

 

[Paolo Delutis]

Well hes used 2 title defenses up with Volk and needs 3 totally to tie khabib and Bj Penn..and 4 to become the LW GOAT...

As to be a Divisional GoAT

You must

1) win the title
2) Defend the title mote times against top ranked opponents then any previous champion before you ..

3) that's all


With that said 2 more title defenses against top ranked guys he's there...

The only * or Caveat being..Volk is a top ranked FW not a LW ...so to some it might not be enough Legacy wise to pass guys like Khabib and Bj Penn to some people...

This is why back to back to cross division fights fuck things up

My guess he won't make it to 4 title defenses against top ranked competitors probably... Voted top 5 LW GOAT when hes done...

 

[legcramp]

We get it, he won the belt and then defended it twice fighting a midget featherweight so far. Let's get BJ Penn a titleshot and make it three!

Edit: 1st time he lost a couple rounds and the 2nd time Volk got off his couch drinking beers and eating wagyu burgers on two weeks notice.

 

[13Seconds]

I've been saying it for a while and I got so much shit for it.

As time goes on, less and less people will disagree with me, but I'm sure some still will.

Islam is a special talent.

And that's sports. Islam is a bad mofo though.

I would be very suprised if he doesn't lose in his next two fights. Bookmark it. It has nothing to do with his abilities. It's about the nature of the division. Lightweight. Demons in the waiting.

 

[Lee_]

Everyone currently winning is Dana's GOAT. How many different GOATs has he proclaimed?

Islam has one quality win against guys his own size. Let's not start blowing him yet.

BJ Penn fought bigger guys; Islam fights smaller guys. Big difference.

 

[Reign009]

And that's sports. Islam is a bad mofo though.

I would be very suprised if he doesn't lose in his next two fights. Bookmark it. It has nothing to do with his abilities. It's about the nature of the division. Lightweight. Demons in the waiting.

I agree with this.

His title run has already seen tougher opposition than Khabib's (just saying).

 

[Deleted member 585708]

Everyone currently winning is Dana's GOAT. How many different GOATs has he proclaimed?

Islam has one quality win against guys his own size. Let's not start blowing him yet.

BJ Penn fought bigger guys; Islam fights smaller guys. Big difference.

It's the only kind of promotion Dana bothers with these days.

Just randomly saying the new champion is the best ever at a press conference.

 

[Bowel-forged Stool]

I've been saying it for a while and I got so much shit for it.

As time goes on, less and less people will disagree with me, but I'm sure some still will.

Islam is a special talent.

He is until he was never that good…

which is when McGregor’s left tags the chin
{<Mcgoat}

 

[Lee_]

LW never had a long reigning champs like GSP, Silva or Jones so it's not hard to break the record

If BJ had stayed at UFC LW for his entire career, he would have easily passed that record.

 

[Reign009]

He is until he was never that good…

which is when McGregor’s left tags the chin
{<Mcgoat}

 

[Lee_]

He is until he was never that good…

which is when McGregor’s left tags the chin
{<Mcgoat}

Conor has lost his hairline and lost his fighting ability.

 

[aali14]

Current Islam is better than Prime Khabib, I truly believe that, his striking makes him dangerous everywhere, hopefully he can manage his weight cuts well so he can be the first long reigning champ in the LW division

 

[13Seconds]

I agree with this.

His title run has already seen tougher opposition than Khabib's (just saying).

True. Funnily enough Gaethjes name is being thrown around as Islams next fight. It's between Gaethje and Oliveira. These guys are good but when I said demons i also had other guys in mind. If they can rise up.

Let's see what happens but the development is interesting

 

[DrunkMonkMeth]

he does. but I also feel like he could get caught.

 

[Fight Professor]

Islam needs 2 more defenses to have the most LW defenses, and he is probably going to get there. But he is getting to the number of defenses of DJ, Silva, GSP and Jones.

 

[Reign009]

True. Funnily enough Gaethjes name is being thrown around as Islams next fight. It's between Gaethje and Oliveira. These guys are good but when I said demons i also had other guys in mind. If they can rise up.

Let's see what happens but the development is interesting

I think the first Volk fight has mislead people to underestimate Islam.

The Gaethje fight is interesting because we can finally get a better comparison of Islam/Khabib against a common opponent (I know he's not the only one, but he's the most relevant).

Though I'd say that Gaethje now is better than ever.

And yeah, LW is ultra competitive. Islam is special, but there's plenty of talent in that weight class.

 

[Sincere Guy]

Breaking title defenses counting 2 times against a same... FW. FW. What a warrior this guy. Best ever.

 

[MigitAs]

I've been saying it for a while and I got so much shit for it.

As time goes on, less and less people will disagree with me, but I'm sure some still will.

Islam is a special talent.

I never got that Khabib vibe with Islam, and by that I mean he doesn’t seem invincible the way Khabib did. I never ever felt like picking against Khabib, but many times have questioned Islam’s chances.