What's Islam Makachev's Ceiling?

[Peli]

Seriously, I see memes posting about him on the website but where do you guys realistically see him? I personally think he's a top 5 talent and maybe a 1 time LW champion. He might touch the strap, but I don't see him retaining it.

I also think people are ducking him because he's a tough fight for a top 10 LW, but I also think he's being held back because of Politics. As long Khabib is around, UFC has no interest in pushing Islam. Hell, possibly even when Khabib retires. He's 28, right around his prime which means his window is now or its upcoming rather soon. The guy is not the most marketable guy imo and I don't see ufc in a rush to push him. Maybe to appease the middle east/muslim market but he doesn't have the mystique of Khabib.

 

[Deleted member 546119]

Obviously champion

Islam is amazing

 

[KootenayKid]

Stucco

 

[ImmigrantMentality]

Not that high like people think, he has similar grappling ability to Khabib but Khabib is better. When it comes to other intangibles, Khabib has a much better chin, better striking defense and his striking offense compliments his grappling better than Islam's

 

[Sweater of AV]

I'm not an interior decorator but his place probably looks like shit.

 

[ufcfan4]

I think his chin might be his only liability. And I don’t think it’s even a bad chin or a subpar one but just many of the current divisional top dogs have legit durability. Islam seems like the type who might get flustered when he eats big shots.

otherwise, he’s got all the tools to get to the upper-echelon of the division.

 

[DivineMind]

His arms are too short, I see him touching the top 8 and then getting brutally put out.

 

[flowoftruth]

He's 1/2 at lightweight but too bad he's not gonna get the opportunity to really work his way up until Khabib retires.

 

[Rdude92]

He is top level. I see him being the future top 3 between him, Oliveira, and Poirier/Gaethje after Khabib retire

 

[mallen7272]

He got tko'd by a bjj specialist so i'd say gatekeeper at best

 

[TheItalianStallion]

A question for those who are so high on Islam. How many ranked opponents has he beat? Who are his best wins? Did he go to a 29-28 decision with the debuting Arman Tsarukyan while being ranked? Is he elite just through relation to Khabib? Because his record does not confirm this

 

[Peli]

He's 1/2 at lightweight but too bad he's not gonna get the opportunity to really work his way up until Khabib retires.

I don't think he's the "next" khabib. I don't think the ufc will be in a rush to replace it's dagestani superstar with islam. They will just build up Khabib's cousins. Although, they compete in different weight classes, they will probably be more marketed than islam is currently. They're younger and have more upside. Islam is 28. He should be fighting as often as possible. Right now is his window. I get it that some guys are ducking him but somethings gotta give. Maybe he has to go off on dana the same way Khabib did after his win against michael johson.

 

[Peli]

He is top level. I see him being the future top 3 between him, Oliveira, and Poirier/Gaethje after Khabib retire

gaethje souonds like he only have a few more fights left in him until he retires. If he still holds that thought process, hard to argue with him. He's received a ton of damage. Get out while his faculties are still intact.

 

[ChinaMMABlog]

Islam's ceiling = Khabib's basement

 

[winkydinks]

He got tko'd by a bjj specialist so i'd say gatekeeper at best

that was actually a ko

 

[flowoftruth]

I don't think he's the "next" khabib. I don't think the ufc will be in a rush to replace it's dagestani superstar with islam. They will just build up Khabib's cousins. Although, they compete in different weight classes, they will probably be more marketed than islam is currently. They're younger and have more upside. Islam is 28. He should be fighting as often as possible. Right now is his window. I get it that some guys are ducking him but somethings gotta give. Maybe he has to go off on dana the same way Khabib did after his win against michael johson.

It's not that guys are ducking him but the ufc dont wanna kill off contenders with a guy that's not willing to fight the champ

 

[podsox]

He doesn’t fight enough to have any idea

 

[cheat toes]

going with the drop

 

[Peli]

A question for those who are so high on Islam. How many ranked opponents has he beat? Who are his best wins? Did he go to a 29-28 decision with the debuting Arman Tsarukyan while being ranked? Is he elite just through relation to Khabib? Because his record does not confirm this

I think people are high on him because His relation to Khabib's camp and that he's dagestani, but I also think people see he has an interesting skillset and maybe with more fights, it'll look more polished than it does now.

I think he will round into shape but I don't see islam dominating a division. I just can't see it.

 

[Peli]

It's not that guys are ducking him but the ufc dont wanna kill off contenders with a guy that's not willing to fight the champ

wasn't kevin lee willing to fight him? it just never materialized.

Al says he has a fight date, so hopefully its with islam.