Makhachev celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
Islam Makhachev once again defended his place among the greatest fighters in MMA history and took the opportunity to provoke Daniel Cormier by comparing the legacies they built within the UFC. The current welterweight champion (up to 77,1 kg) stated that the former two-time belt holder needs to acknowledge his achievements after the Russian equaled one of the main career milestones of his former training partner.
In an interview with the clothing brand Complex, Makhachev recalled an old statement by Cormier, who used his achievements as an argument to defend his place among the greatest athletes in the organization's history. For the Russian, however, the scenario changed after winning two titles in different weight classes and achieving 16 consecutive victories in the UFC. The fighter is now preparing to face Ian Garry at UFC 330 , scheduled for August 15th in Philadelphia.
“That guy will always be behind me because I broke his records. It was 16 straight wins. The last time I asked him, he said, ‘I have two belts.’ But now I also have two belts. DC will always have to stay behind me,” stated Islam Makhachev.
In addition to matching Anderson Silva 's record of 16 consecutive UFC wins, Makhachev also achieved another feat that strengthens his comparison with Cormier: winning belts in two different weight classes. For the Russian, the sum of these achievements puts him ahead of the former champion in the race for the title of one of the greatest of all time.
Daniel Cormier , for his part, built a historic career by winning the light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) and heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg) titles. The former champion was also known for his rivalry with Jon Jones and for his consistency among the best athletes in the organization.
Russia vs. Ireland reignites historic rivalry in the UFC.
Khabib Nurmagomedov (left) faces Conor McGregor (right). Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC.
UFC 330 will feature a main event: the welterweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry . Beyond the title bout, the fight also revives a rivalry that marked one of the most emblematic periods in the organization's recent history: Russia versus Ireland.
A disciple of Khabib Nurmagomedov and the leading representative of the Dagestani fighting school today, Makhachev carries on the legacy left by the former undefeated lightweight champion. On the other side, Garry emerges as the main Irish star of the new generation and seeks to repeat the prominence that Conor McGregor brought to the country during his meteoric rise in the event.
Although lacking the personal rivalry that marked the historic confrontation between Khabib and McGregor, the duel puts Russia and Ireland back in the spotlight of the UFC. This time, in addition to national pride, the welterweight title and a prominent position at the highest level of the sport will be at stake.
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