How far can Rustam Khabilov and Islam Makhachaev go??

[BjPenn2017]

Both these guys strike me as top ten fighters, yet UFC keeps burying them on international cards and FP prelims.

Khabilov kind of reminds me of Khabib lite, not as good GNP but very good top control and TD's, you don't see many guys stuff Khabilov and once he gets you down you probably aren't getting back up. 2 losses years ago, one to Prime Bendo, the other a split decision loss to Adriano Martins. 5 fight win streak, definitely deserves top 10-15 opponent next.

Islam seems like he improves everytime he fights. He tightened up his striking alot since the KO loss to Martins, and is currently on a 3 fight win streak with a decision of Nik Lentz coming and a KO of returning Gleison Tibau. Also seems like he is deserving of a top 10-15 opponent.

I honestly wouldn't mind seeing Islam vs Felder and Khabilov vs Pettis. I think both would be great fights and make sense, seeing as how Felder is ranked at 14 and Pettis at 12 in UFC rankings.

I didn't forget about Taisumov which I think is easily top 10 guy as well, and very deserving.. but unless he can get his visa stuff sorted out I have a tough time seeing the UFC giving him a top fight which is a fucking shame.

 

[Schoolboy Q]

Islam’s glass jaw won’t make it far, Khabib will likely get a few title defences before someone finally exposes his poor striking.

 

[Spekty]

Both these guys strike me as top ten fighters, yet UFC keeps burying them on international cards and FP prelims.

They have a boring wrestling style which is not appealing to the major audience. They have boring personalities,can't talk trash and can't even speak basic english. That's why they are buried in the prelims,it's just not worth to push and promote those kind of fighters from a marketing standpoint. It's self explanatory

 

[AndrewGolota48]

Rustam is such a weird case, he was fast tracked early, beat Masvidal, and was competitive with Bendo, then seemed to fall off. I have been wondering when he'll get a name opponent again.

 

[Southpaw_27]

I feel like I've been waiting for Rustam to break into the top 10 for years now. Don't think anybody is chomping at the bit to fight the guy. I'd like to see how he matches up with guys like Chiesa or Aubin Mercier or maybe even James Vick.

 

[ImNotSurpisedDonks!]

Islam’s glass jaw won’t make it far, Khabib will likely get a few title defences before someone finally exposes his poor striking.

Glass jaw? He was not even close to out and got hit with some vicious shots by Martins, AND, in his UFC debut at like the age of 22. He has shown that he has vastly improved and I'd pick him right now over 90% of the top ten. People just dont understand how damn good some of these Daga fighters are, even if they arent ranked high.....I mean, is there anyone here that thinks Cub 'I struggle with Artem' Swanson beats Zabit?? Heck, I think Islam definitely beats Iaquinta and maybe even Tony with his wrestling, Sambo and total game.

 

[ImNotSurpisedDonks!]

They have a boring wrestling style which is not appealing to the major audience. They have boring personalities,can't talk trash and can't even speak basic english. That's why they are buried in the prelims,it's just not worth to push and promote those kind of fighters from a marketing standpoint. It's self explanatory

Dont conflate Dagestani Mauling with Jake Shields style lay n pray. Khabib is #MakingGNPGreatAgain and with him creating this renewed interest in smesh style fighting systems, there is a market for guys like Makhachaev.

 

[VVarhead]

Rustam is on a pretty nice streak, but seems to have trouble staying active.

 

[executionermma]

Makhachev could reach champion lv one day, his potential is awesome.
Khabilov is 33 or something like that and already is on a downslide i think, maybe he can get into the top 10, but won't get past that and i'll be surprised if it actually happens. Should lose his next fight, if he gets really gets someone ranked. Good fighter, anyway.

 

[Kingofthestreets]

Khabilov is probably fringe top 5 at the very least.

I mean wouldn' he be a good challenge for khabib?

 

[Schoolboy Q]

Glass jaw? He was not even close to out and got hit with some vicious shots by Martins, AND, in his UFC debut at like the age of 22. He has shown that he has vastly improved and I'd pick him right now over 90% of the top ten. People just dont understand how damn good some of these Daga fighters are, even if they arent ranked high.....I mean, is there anyone here that thinks Cub 'I struggle with Artem' Swanson beats Zabit?? Heck, I think Islam definitely beats Iaquinta and maybe even Tony with his wrestling, Sambo and total game.

Islam got stiffened by Martins, I don’t exactly think he’s a powerful puncher either.

 

[ImNotSurpisedDonks!]

Islam got stiffened by Martins, I don’t exactly think he’s a powerful puncher either.

Stiffened? He got as stiffened as Conor got KTFO'd by Mayweather. He hit the deck, was wobbly but was not stiff, cold or unconcious.

And Martins is not a particular hard hitter, I agree, tho the punch that landed was perfect, timed with the fact Islam was pushing his weight in to the exchange. It was 20 year old kid mistake, not immediately taking the fight to the ground, playing with fire and getting over anxious, as he was getting the better of Martins and went in recklessly for the kill.

 

[welcometohavoc]

Both these guys strike me as top ten fighters, yet UFC keeps burying them on international cards and FP prelims.

Khabilov kind of reminds me of Khabib lite, not as good GNP but very good top control and TD's, you don't see many guys stuff Khabilov and once he gets you down you probably aren't getting back up. 2 losses years ago, one to Prime Bendo, the other a split decision loss to Adriano Martins. 5 fight win streak, definitely deserves top 10-15 opponent next.

Islam seems like he improves everytime he fights. He tightened up his striking alot since the KO loss to Martins, and is currently on a 3 fight win streak with a decision of Nik Lentz coming and a KO of returning Gleison Tibau. Also seems like he is deserving of a top 10-15 opponent.

I honestly wouldn't mind seeing Islam vs Felder and Khabilov vs Pettis. I think both would be great fights and make sense, seeing as how Felder is ranked at 14 and Pettis at 12 in UFC rankings.

I didn't forget about Taisumov which I think is easily top 10 guy as well, and very deserving.. but unless he can get his visa stuff sorted out I have a tough time seeing the UFC giving him a top fight which is a fucking shame.

You say they're top 10 fighters but all 3 have all lost to sub top 10 opponents

 

[FacePunch]

I am a certified Khabilov Dickrider™.

 

[ironfist05]

I feel like I've been waiting for Rustam to break into the top 10 for years now. Don't think anybody is chomping at the bit to fight the guy. I'd like to see how he matches up with guys like Chiesa or Aubin Mercier or maybe even James Vick.

yeah, Rustam is one of those high risk low reward kind of guys. Not unbeatable, but not accomplished enough that he's earned the top guys facing him and dangerous enough that the UFC won't risk its' prospects near him. He's not the exciting prospect he used to be: he was a way more active grappler in the past, and threw his strikes at a much higher volume, but he's still an effective wrestler. His takedowns are not necessarily incredible, but they're good, he's well condiitoned, and when he's on top, he's got solid control. I hope he gets a good opponent soon, because he's exiting his physical prime without getting to prove himself.

 

[Schoolboy Q]

Stiffened? He got as stiffened as Conor got KTFO'd by Mayweather

Poor comparison, Conor took a prolonged beating from Floyd, Islam got stiff after a single punch in the first round lol