More complete champion, Israel or Islam?

[FilipEmoFights]

Now that they’ve had quite a few defenses
Who do you think is the more complete fighter?
Who do you think is more opposing to fight against?

 

[Ludwig von Mises]

Izzy had 5 defenses.

Islam has 3 defenses.

 

[gentel]

Islam displayed high level skill in striking, wrestling, and submissions

Adesanya was elite in the striking but not in other areas so Islam is def higher P4P and the more complete champion

 

[legcramp]

Izzy had 5 defenses.

Islam has 3 defenses.

Only one of Islam's defense was against an actual lightweight... the other two were against Volk where he went life and death the first time and KO'd a Volk getting off his couch on a week's notice after eating wagyu steaks and beers.

 

[mkt]

Islam is more well-rounded, so I guess that means more complete. However, the most "complete" fighters aren't always the best. There are fighters who were/are more well-rounded than Khabib or Anderson Silva but didn't accomplish as much--nor could they have beaten all of the same opponents.

 

[mjfan23]

don’t forget the colored nails. Another point for Izzy

 

[ipowerslapmywife]

Islam obviously, Izzy isn’t a good grappler

 

[Ludwig von Mises]

Only one of Islam's defense was against an actual lightweight... the other two were against Volk where he went life and death the first time and KO'd a Volk getting off his couch on a week's notice after eating wagyu steaks and beers.

Wtf does "actual LW" mean

Cut the semantics.

 

[GiganticMeat]

Islam is obviously more complete. Maybe the most we've ever seen.

More opposing/scary is definitely Izzy. People joke but that dude is insanely talented and can put people's lights out in a heartbeat if they slip. Izzy himself said and I do think it's cope for his boring championship style, that if people don't provoke him he doesn't go for their heads. So in this case it does seem true that if you don't poke the bear he will only poke you enough to win on the cards. He isn't the only one (Leon).

 

[FreedomCricket]

Islam would smoke izzy in hypothetical same weight match.

 

[VinceArch]

Definitely Islam as far as being more complete.

 

[The Siege]

Makhachev can box on the inside as seen vs Poirier, can kickbox from range as seen in most of his fights, can get the clinch and punish with knees and other strikes or transition effortlessly into a TD using trips and throws as seen in most of his fights, elite and sustained grappling defence as seen in his bout against Arman, he has elite BJJ as seen in fights against excellent BJJ players like Moises and Charles, a patient and very opportunistic top game as seen in many of his fights, and we know he can battle through adversity.

So, from what we have seen, Islam is the more complete fighter, but who knows, maybe Izzy will show more of his game in upcoming fights.

 

[ElLunico]

Izzy cleaned out his division.. Izzy for now

 

[Flower2dPeople]

Only in the UFC where Islam is better than Israel.

 

[Xoleth]

1. Islam is a well rounded fighter who can win against another well rounded fighter, a top wrestler or a top striker.
Israel is lucky that MW's best wrestler is Vettori, a guy with not much skill.

2. When it comes to entertainment, Islam brings it... even on the ground where he goes for submissions.
Israel had very boring fights vs Cannonier and Israel.

3. Some may claim that Volk vs Islam was close, but I would say Rob vs Israel 2 was even closer

Izzy had 5 defenses.

Islam has 3 defenses.

Izzy had 3 title losses.
Islam has 0 title losses.

 

[Pious Augustus]

Only one of Islam's defense was against an actual lightweight... the other two were against Volk where he went life and death the first time and KO'd a Volk getting off his couch on a week's notice after eating wagyu steaks and beers.

Yeah, Volk sucks, Oliveira too, they're nothing like Gastelum who Izzy went life and death with, or the legendary Vettori

 

[Mike]

Islam of course. Izzy has almost no grappling.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

How is this even a question

 

[krelianx]

Complete? As in, well rounded? How would that even be a topic of debate?

 

[Ludwig von Mises]

1. Islam is a well rounded fighter who can win against another well rounded fighter, a top wrestler or a top striker.
Israel is lucky that MW's best wrestler is Vettori, a guy with not much skill.

2. When it comes to entertainment, Islam brings it... even on the ground where he goes for submissions.
Israel had very boring fights vs Cannonier and Israel.

3. Some may claim that Volk vs Islam was close, but I would say Rob vs Israel 2 was even closer



Izzy had 3 title losses.
Islam has 0 title losses.

Izzy had 11 title fights to Islam's 4.