Best 3 fight performances of Islam Makhachev

Following his victory over the legendary Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 on Oct. 22, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev had plenty of momentum going into his title defense against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Volkanovski had previously competed at lightweight (and welterweight) and was eager to move up a weight class to compete for the 155-pound title and the chance to become the fifth fighter to simultaneously hold two UFC belts.

Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler at UFC 262 in May 2021 to claim the vacant 155-pound championship. Prior to his matchup with Gaethje at UFC 274, Do Bronx was forced to forfeit the belt for under-weighing. By far, Makhachev’s victory is the biggest in his professional career. His career record now stands at 23-1.

Islam Makhachev may be the most terrifying fighter in the lightweight division in the UFC currently. Throughout his ascent through the ranks, Makhachev has been a powerful force. He has dominated his opponents with excellent wrestling and relentless pressure.

Here are three of Islam Makhachev’s top UFC performances

1. Charles Oliveira

This would be for Makhachev by far the best match of his career as we won and became the UFC Lightweight Champion. In the main event of UFC 280 on Saturday night, Islam Makhachev defeated Charles Oliveira very easily to win the vacant lightweight championship. The victory marked the end of an amazing journey for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s students.

The former champion was knocked out by Makhachev in Round 1, then in Round 2, he was defeated via a fall and arm-triangle choke. Following the victory, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski was invited into the ring to lobby for a champion-versus-champion matchup in February in Volkanovski’s native Australia.

READ MORE: Best 3 fight performances of Alexander Volkanovski

2. Leo Kuntz

The UFC debut of Makhachev was an indication of things to come. He outclassed Kuntz by using his grappling to set up his strikes till the bout ended on the ground. Makhachev successfully applied the rear-naked choke to begin his UFC career.. The lightweight contest was a preliminary match for the UFC 187 event that took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas today.

Makhachev, who works out with Nurmagomedov at the same gym, used a rear-naked choke to induce a tap at the 2:38 mark of the second stanza.

After a spectacular hip toss in the opening round, Makhachev progressed to the position again after Kuntz was knocked to the mat during a collision in the middle of the cage. In his debut, Kuntz came off as awkward and unsure, which allowed his Dagestani opponent to dominate the clinch with blows.

3. Gleison Tibau

Makhachev scored the greatest knockout of his career in less than a minute. A massive left hook delivered by Makhachev over the top landed flush on Gleison Tibau’s chin. The veteran was knocked to the ground by the blow, which also ended the fight. It was a fantastic victory that demonstrated Makhachev’s dangers as both a grappler and a striker.

It was the fastest knockout ever done by Islam Makhachev. The 31-year-fastest old’s finish occurred at UFC 220 against Gleison Tibau. 57 seconds into the first round, Makhachev successfully knocked out the Brazilian. Tibau was knocked out by the Russian’s jab-overhand left. The master of sambo made his sixth appearance in the organization at UFC 220.

It’s interesting to note that Gleison Tibau has previously competed against lightweight icon and longtime buddy of Makhachev Khabib Nurmagomedov. In the UFC 148 matchup, Nurmagomedov defeated the Brazilian by a unanimous decision.

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