Islam Makhachev entered the UFC in Khabib Nurmagomedov's shadow. The comparisons were inevitable, relentless, and — it turns out — incomplete. Because Makhachev is not Khabib 2.0. He is something new.
The wrestling foundation
Like Khabib, Makhachev's wrestling is the load-bearing wall of his game. His takedown rate sits above 4.5 per 15 minutes against elite competition — exceptional at lightweight where the cardio demands are at their highest. His chain wrestling, transitioning from failed attempts to body locks to trips without losing position, is arguably more fluid than his mentor's was.
The striking evolution
Here is where Makhachev departs from the Khabib template. His left hand has become a genuine weapon. His feinting, the way he disguises level changes as punch setups, has improved every year. Against Charles Oliveira — a notoriously dangerous striker — Makhachev controlled range, landed crisp counters, and never once looked threatened standing.
Against Alexander Volkanovski, widely considered the best pound-for-pound striker in the UFC at that point, Makhachev adapted in real time during their first fight and completely dominated the rematch. The ability to adjust across rounds against elite-level opposition is the rarest skill in the sport.
Why this matters
At 28, Makhachev is still improving. His cardio, his submission game, and his striking are all on upward trajectories. The lightweight division — historically the most competitive in MMA — has no clear answer for him. That is a remarkable position to be in.
Our Top Combat Sports Pick
Bet on Thunderpick18+ only · Gambling can be addictive · Play responsibly · BeGambleAware.orgAbout the authors
AiRingside Editorial Team
AiRingside is an independent combat sports publisher. Every article is researched, written, and reviewed before publication. We test what we recommend, disclose every affiliate link, and read every email.
Full team bio