Why can't people get behind Islam like they did Khabib?

[djason1988]

Honestly? Because he came up in khabib's shadow. He was expected, upon arrival, to become champ, and was fast tracked to the belt. It's actually not very fair to him. I think he's a significantly different, and in many aspects better, fighter than khabib. It doesn't help either that he has the personality of a wooden plank, and constantly has this weird nervous expression, even though he clearly isn't.

 

[MeatGrinder]

His name

 

[Momentosis]

Think it's just the style.

Islam is incredibly calculated. This usually just gel well with fans.

Khabib on the otherhand was very aggressive and personifies SMESH.

Also, think about how the people who call Khabib's absolute thrashing of guys on the ground boring must feel when watching Islam slowly dispatch people on the ground.

 

[acannxr]

Is he too dull? He got KO'd early in his career? Jealous of his hairline?

Islam is shaping up to be insanely dominant and will probably do Gaethje just as bad if not worse than he did Volk today.

He only has 2 top ten ranked wins at Lightweight and he arguably lost the first Volk fight; meanwhile Khabib dominated throughout his entire title reign and had the benefit of getting the opportunity to fight McGregor in the largest UFC PPV of all time.

Islam has finished all of the last 6 opponents he has faced

Him finishing the likes of Bobby Green and Thiago Moises isn't worth bragging about.

including the guy everyone claimed was LW GOAT and the number 1 P4P

Khabib-haters and bandwagoners were the only ones calling Oliveira the LW GOAT/#1 P4P.

 

[nostradumbass]

Massive Volk fan here. Islam is a beast. Nothing bad to say about him at all. I feel the geopolitical climate has Islam fans seeing these 'islam haters' everywhere that don't really exist. First guy in the UFC to finish Volk. Sure he was 30 pounds heavier and had a full camp. Still got it done. Respect only.

Not only, it's respect and excuses. Lol at "30 pounds heavier". Volk said himself he was over 180 lbs 10 days ago. You think Islam was 210 lbs?

 

[Oz.Pride]

Not only, it's respect and excuses. Lol at "30 pounds heavier". Volk said himself he was over 180 lbs 10 days ago. You think Islam was 210 lbs?

On fight night, Islam was massive. Not taking a thing away from him because it didn't really play a part. Land clean headkick.amd unanswered strikes and it's game over. Doesn't matter who you are. Fair play and great win. Just be happy your boy got a great win instead of being a cunt to fans of the other guy maybe?

 

[Russ82]

Khabib better looking and better at promotion. That is all it is

 

[JustBreed]

The McGregor win and the way everything went down catapulted Khabib to stardom, prior to that he was more charismatic.

Maybe Islam's had his moment now. Don't forget Volk had to beat Holloway 3x before anyone not Australian stopped hating his guts

 

[Big Tuppy Hole]

Khabib talked shit and had charisma, he was also the original. Islam while a great fighter is nothing knew

 

[Juzie]

Few reasons.

1. Khabib was the OG Dagestani, ppl are getting tired of that now 2. Khabib was the hero who could stop the GOAT during his prime.

Probably other reasons too but those come to mind instantly.

 

[HHJ]

1. Khabib was the OG Dagestani, ppl are getting tired of that now

anyone gettin tired of it are fairweather sissy fans and no one needs those


2. Khabib was the hero who could stop the GOAT during his prime.

WHOMST?

 

[Dirty Frank]

Is he too dull? He got KO'd early in his career? Jealous of his hairline?

Islam is shaping up to be insanely dominant and will probably do Gaethje just as bad if not worse than he did Volk today.

Islam's success is an extension of Khabib's.
Some people just find this level of success unrelatable, and hence find some odd way here or there to denigrate them any way they can.

 

[Jesus H. Sherdog]

I think islam has a pretty large fanbase, and once he starts defending against people in his division, he'll get more and more respect. Khabib also was somewhat more of a sympathetic figure because he had Conor as a foil and most people look like good people in comparison to conor.

It’s probably this. Conor is disliked by many while on the other hand Volk is well liked and he’s way smaller. Hard to cheer for a bigger guy to beat up a littler guy.

When Islam fights LWs or WWs we will see more support for him I would guess.

 

[Paladin]

I spoke about this to mate earlier.

Khabib has that aurua. He could talk and sound intimidating. He never lost a round...


Islam just seems retarded and awkward without the unbeatable aura.

He's clearly one of the best. But he's just not Khabib. At all...

I feel Islam is arguably more skilled than Khabib.. BUT he is in a weird situation.. similar to Nate Diaz, where he is constantly pointing some of his shine back to the older brother / khabib. He works extra hard to avoid potentially stepping on Khabib’s toes so he always gives Khabib the credit for his work.
IMHO That’s part of the reason why Khabib’s aura is so big.. the Dagestan guys keep propping the eagle up (deservedly so)

 

[IneedSometop]

Khabib more personality
Khabib had Conor as his main rival and he’s one of if not the biggest MMA “villains” we’ve ever seen. Khabib got to be the “good guy”. While Islam has had to go out and beat 2 of the most well liked fighters in recent history with Volk and Olives

 

[piropiro]

Zero charisma, seems low key arrogant whilst Khabib was usually super respectful, dull personality and largely boring communication, no longer the first mysterious Dagestani mountain warrior, religious fanatism is becoming more and more out of place given global events, not one great rival/enemy storyline, etc … he has all Khabib’s personality weakness and none of his strengths.

Undoubtedly great fighter though.

 

[Portland8242]

The way Islam is talking he wants to wreak some havoc at 170.

This is why I'm starting to like him more and more. Uber talented and wants challenges.

I guess he's sort of arrogant yeah. But he's wayyyy down the list of douchebags in the UFC. Sean O'Malley is a champ and thank god Strickland got rid of douchebag extreme Izzy. Contrary to what has said he does actually pay a lot of respect to his opponents after all is said and done. Personalites are secondary at the end of the day unless they're an extreme sicko like izzy.

If Colby does beat Leon I'd actually welcome Islam vs Colby. But hey we'll see if Colby was all talk.

 

[jko1355]

i think people are just tired of the domination. look at F1 right now, nobody watches because verstappen is just dominating. look at how crazy people get when there is even 5 seconds of them losing in the cage... gaethje with his leg kicks, michael johnson 'wobbling' khabib, volk winning 1-2 minutes of a 25 minute fight.

What is f1?

 

[BonesWinckleJones]

mouth breather

 

[KBE6EKCTAH_CCP]

Is he too dull? He got KO'd early in his career? Jealous of his hairline?

Islam is shaping up to be insanely dominant and will probably do Gaethje just as bad if not worse than he did Volk today.

What? Who isn t behind Islam? Guy is formidable always has been. Sherdog haters don t count.