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Islam Makhachev is forever going to have his critics and detractors, but if you can look at things objectively, he might be the most complete force in the game right now after taking out Volkanovski in just over three minutes.
The naysayers of Makhachev will try to discredit the win over Volkanovski because of the short-notice circumstances, but I’m not buying it. If Volkanovski wasn’t all there, then Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) did exactly what he should’ve against an overmatched opponent by winning in a quick and devastating manner. What could he have done better in this situation? Not much.
Makhachev’s past three wins have come against pound-for-pound ranked names in Volkanovski and Charles Oliveira, and no one else can claim that type of resume over active competition at this point. Does Jon Jones have an overall better body of work in his UFC career? Absolutely. Longevity plays a huge part in rankings these fighters side-by-side, but Jones’ career over the past five years just doesn’t compare.
It’s arguable Makhachev’s skillset is more complete at this point, too. Jones has never highlight-reeled someone so quickly in the fashion we saw at UFC 294, and Makhachev adding that striking threat to his game on top of a ridiculous grappling and submission pedigree makes him a total nightmare for everyone who steps into the cage with him.
It might seem like crazy talk, but Makhachev does have a real path to being one of the all-time greats, and he seems mentally locked in on making that happen. If he beats Oliveira again, Justin Gaethje, some other names at 155 pounds and eventually moves up to welterweight to get that belt, too, the debate about where he fits in overall UFC lore will become a very real thing.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.