Islam Makhachev continues to get compared to his head coach and longtime friend, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Following his recent win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311, Islam Makhachev broke the record for the most amount of title defenses in the lightweight division, surpassing his head coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Ever since ‘The Eagle’ shockingly retired in 2020, MMA fans and pundits have compared Makhachev to him because of the fact that he trained under his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
The 33-year-old is hoping to go one better than Nurmagomedov by becoming a UFC double champion, or even possibly a triple champion, having surprisingly called out Dricus Du Plessis following his last win.
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Dricus Du Plessis brands Makhachev ‘almost Khabib’
After Makhachev sensationally called for a middleweight title fight against Dricus Du Plessis, the middleweight champion first responded by claiming it would be an ‘easy payday’ for him.
‘Stillknocks’ is scheduled to defend his 185lb title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 this coming February 8.
Ahead of his rematch against Strickland, the South African champion was asked to provide a one-word answer to his reaction to Makhachev considering a move up to middleweight and decided to attempt to get under the skin of his potential future opponent.
“Almost Khabib,” Du Plessis told ShakMMA.
Dricus is widely regarded as one of the best current trash talkers in the UFC having made his last two opponents cry during pre-fight press conferences.
Although Khabib is widely considered one of the most dominant champions of all time, he often falls under the criteria when it comes to labeling the greatest mixed martial artists of all time because he didn’t win a belt in a second weight class.
What is the likelihood of Du Plessis vs Makhachev?
There is no doubt that Makhachev will make a move up to welterweight eventually and that could come next, however, jumping up two weight classes is extremely unlikely at this point.
UFC boss, Dana White has reacted to Makhachev’s desire to fight for the middleweight title, stating that it’s unlikely but he will consider allowing the Russian to move up to 170lbs.
There is, though, seemingly a middleweight version of Makhachev who is next in line to fight for the 185lb title and that is Khamzat Chimaev.
With ‘Borz’ next in line to fight the winner of Du Plessis vs Strickland, the South African champion has outlined how to beat the undefeated phenom.
“I can beat Khamzat, I know for a fact Khamzat is shooting (for a takedown)… Is Khamzat gonna be able to take me down? Absolutely. I would hope he can take me down but then he has to deal with me on the ground.
“Can I take Khamzat down? Absolutely. Am I going to take Khamzat down? Absolutely… I think everyone has been moving backwards trying to evade that takedown. No, no, no. I’m not scared of Khamzat’s wrestling, I’m gonna fight Khamzat wherever the fight goes,” he stated.