Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Islam Makhachev lightweight GOAT debate settled as ex-champion makes 'more well-rounded' claim
01/21/2025 04:02 PM
The Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Islam Makhachev GOAT debate rages on following UFC 311.
UFC lightweight champion and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev put on another dominant performance as he tapped out Renato Moicano in minutes at UFC 311. He was supposed to face Arman Tsarukyan before he withdrew on short notice due to injury, and despite the last-second opponent switch, Makhachev left the Octagon unscathed.
Makhachev and his UFC Hall of Fame mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov are two of the greatest lightweights to ever compete inside the Octagon. After Makhachev’s latest win, many fans and pundits have begun to wonder whether or not the student has surpassed the master in the lightweight GOAT debate.
A former UFC champion believes Makhachev’s skillset sets him apart when discussing the all-time great lightweights.
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Robert Whittaker picks Islam Makhachev as the UFC LW GOAT
During a recent episode of the MMArcade podcast, Whittaker weighed in on Makhachev’s UFC 311 performance and where he stands on the lightweight GOAT debate.
“At this point in Islam’s career, can you expect anything else?” Whittaker said of Makhachev. “Everyone just wants to see the bubble pop, but much like Khabib, it’s not gonna happen. Islam is much more well-rounded than Khabib, in my opinion. His striking is so crisp and clean. We’ve seen such an improvement in his striking over the course of his last few fights, and this was no different…
“The problem is, we need to see him keep going, to keep doing it. Statistically, he’s the best lightweight to have done it right now, but if he loses that bubble that pops, that aura disappears. That’s why it was so good for Khabib to get out and not succumb to anything else. His bubble never popped. But Islam’s doing what [Khabib] did but going further with it, taking it as far as he can go.”
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A second UFC title would set Islam Makhachev firmly apart from Khabib Nurmagomedov
After UFC 311, Makhachev could potentially vie for another divisional championship after nearly clearing out the top lightweight contenders. He’s long teased a move up to welterweight, but with his teammate Belal Muhammad holding the belt, his jump up a weight class is complicated.
If Makhachev earned a second title, he’ll tally an accolade that Nurmagomedov didn’t earn during his career. Nurmagomedov retired in 2020 following a successful lightweight title defense against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
Nurmagomedov entered the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022 after amassing a 29-0 record in his legendary career. He defeated Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Gaethje during his lightweight title reign.
