What's Islam Makachev's Ceiling?

[Peli]

Who knows, he won't fight anyone.

Dan Hooker beats the brakes off him imo. He definitely isn't top five. Very big difference between him and Khabib. People always cite how well rounded Islam is but well rounded doesn't always mean better. Khabib is good because he can outgrapple anyone in the division. Islam can't strike with the top strikers and he doesn't have Khabib's overwhelming grappling.

Nah, I think if his chin is durable and that knockout was just a fluke knockout he got, I think he finishes hooker. Then again, couldn't finish nik lentz, even though he dominated nik but I still think he finishes hooker.

He has better Judo than Khabib or utilize it more is what I should say.

 

[xP]

Nah, I think if his chin is durable and that knockout was just a fluke knockout he got, I think he finishes hooker. Then again, couldn't finish nik lentz, even though he dominated nik but I still think he finishes hooker.

He has better Judo than Khabib or utilize it more is what I should say.

I don't think he losses to Hooker because of his chin, I just think Hooker is a vastly better striker. He's had several decisions against guys worse and less experienced than Dan Hooker so how is he finishing him. he's only finished shot Tibau and Johnson.

utilizing Judo more doesn't matter because Khabib's clinch takedowns are much better.

Islam is good no doubt but I just don't think he's shown anything near top five material so far. Especially considering his opposition.

 

[ExitLUPin]

So where do you see his ceiling ultimately being?

Peak as a Top 5 guy. I think he will fight for the title but i dont see him winning it

 

[ProperLad]

Hooker, Oliveria, Poirier, Conor, and Gaethje all heem him. He is for sure not a top 5 dog. Only guy he could maybe beat would be Tony and even then Tony has better striking and if he takes Tony down hes gonna humiliate him because Islam is a worse Khabib. Fierreira could maybe. beat him, Al might out point him but realistically he beats Al, Cowboy loses to him, I think he can out point Gillespie tbh, if Lee comes back it would be interesting.

 

[Alexnotonfire]

Islam is the best grappler in lightweight division except Khabib. Jiu jitsu black belts don't stand a chance against him on the ground. He has the best striking defence in all of UFC, he never gets hit due to his distance control and head movement. The only way to beat him would be a puncher's chance early on. Once he's got his hands on you, it's over.

 

[ArmenianAssasin]

In before @Ackmed

 

[Ackmed]

he's only finished shot Tibau and Johnson.

And Leo Kuntz

 

[Fraz]

Sporting GOAT, Nobel peace prize winner, first man to walk on Mars

 

[Ackmed]

Islam Makhachev
6 Fight Win Streak
Most Ducked Fighter in History
Future Lightweight Champion
Movie Star Good Looks
Mensa IQ
Best Nutritionist in the Game
Incredible sense if humour
Epic hairline
Glorious J-haplogroup specimen
Best striking defence stats in all of UFC
Opportunistic submission game
Knockout power
World Combat Sambo Champion
European Combat Sambo Champion
Outstanding jab
Deadly in the clinch

 

[RockyLockridge]

should be a fw

 

[Peli]

Islam is the best grappler in lightweight division except Khabib. Jiu jitsu black belts don't stand a chance against him on the ground. He has the best striking defence in all of UFC, he never gets hit due to his distance control and head movement. The only way to beat him would be a puncher's chance early on. Once he's got his hands on you, it's over.

I wouldn't call him a "glue" grappler by any means. He's nice but he's not sticky.

 

[No Skill Gap]

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.

Yeah good point, 155 might see some crazy turnover soon. Based on that alone maybe Islam would be a top 3-5 guy, but I have no idea how good he actually is.

 

[Peli]

islam is looking THICK