“Everything is going to change,” says Islam Makhachev as the lightweight fighter is ready to carry Khabib’s legacy

“Everything is going to change,” says Islam Makhachev as the lightweight fighter is ready to carry Khabib’s legacy
Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov

Islam Makhachev, the lightweight fighter from the similar origins of UFC lightweight legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has intentions of taking over the Lightweight division in the absence of his peer. Makhachev is scheduled to fight Drew Dober at UFC 259. The fight will be held on the 7th of March.

Islam Makhachev is a terrific fighter with a record of 18-1-0 in his professional career as an MMA fighter with only one defeat coming against Adriano Martins in 2015. Since then the Dagestani has looked unstoppable. He returns to the octagon for the first time since 2019. Islam believes his time living under the shadow of Khabib is over and is a new era now.

Makhachev has been under the shadow of his mentor/teammate, Khabib Nurmagomedov. But now that his peer has retired he wants to step up and take over. “I think after this fight, if I finish Drew, everything is going to change,” Makhachev told reporters, on Wednesday at UFC 259 media day.

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 “It’s going to be a seven-fight win streak and not a lot of people have a win streak like this. The next one will maybe be top five, top 10, and I’m going to show my skills,” said the Dagestani. He will be fighting against Dober whom he was originally supposed to fight back in 2016.

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Will Makhachev extend his consecutive winning streak on Sunday?

Islam Makhachev

The reporters threw some questions about his opponents in Islam’s way and Makhachev had answers to everything. He’s tough,” Makhachev said. “He’s not in the rankings. I think he’s No. 16. I know he’s good because I was supposed to fight with him in 2016. He has good striking, good conditioning, but I think I have more than him. …”

“Honestly I think this is easy road. I take him down, control. I think his wrestling is not so good,” said Makhachev in the conference. Islam also has an amazing winning streak going on. If he wins his next bout he would have the record of second-most consecutive wins among active fighters.

Makhachev also thinks he’s a couple of fights away from the title shot. “I just need a couple more fights (for the title shot). That’s it. Now I feel I’m ready for everybody because all my life I’m training as champion. Nobody gives me problem from top 10.”

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