Daniel Cormier highlights the main difference between Islam Makhachev It is Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Both Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) and Nurmagomedov made three title defenses as lightweight champions – a UFC division record. With Nurmagomedov in his corner, Makhachev retained his lightweight title by submitting Dustin Poirier in the main fight of UFC 302 on Saturday.
Nurmagomedov’s (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) title defenses have come over Conor McGregor, Poirier and Justin Gaethje before he decided to hang up the gloves. Cormier discussed his performance against common opponent Poirier.
“I don’t know if it’s fair to compare them, especially based on their common opponent, because I believe Dustin Poirier was better because he had the opportunity to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov,” Cormier said on his ESPN show. “Good/Bad” with Chael Sonnen.
“He felt that strength in grappling – a little recognition of what he would face when he stepped into the Octagon. I was one of the people who said this early and said I think Islam Makhachev is more dangerous than Khabib because of his striking. But as I reflect on it, as a guy who’s been there with both of them, I don’t know if we’ll ever see someone as dominant as Khabib.”
Cormier explains that Makhachev’s willingness to stay on his feet puts him in riskier situations than Nurmagomedov, who had a specific but unstoppable way of winning fights.
“I’m not saying Islam was losing the fight on Saturday,” Cormier said. “There were times, though, when it felt competitive. How many times have you seen Khabib Nurmagomedov not look outwardly dominant? That’s where I think you make a difference. We don’t know what would have happened if Khabib had stayed for a while, but… history tells us that he would probably still be holding the championship now, with about eight or nine title defenses and still dominating the way he did.
“So when I watch them, I think the dominance is different because Islam will be with you more than Khabib was willing. But it was in the idea that you knew exactly what Khabib Nurmagomedov was going to do to you and no one could stop it. With Islam, of course, you have more things to worry about – you have to worry about the strike. But with Khabib, he literally said, ‘I’m going to knock you down and beat you and beat you,’ and no one could stop it. I don’t know if we’ll ever see someone more dominant than him.”
