Legend Georges St-Pierre Name Drops Unbeatable #1 P4P Islam Makhachev’s Kryptonite

UFC legend Georges St-Pierre weighs in on holes in Islam Makhachev's game by relating to early career performances.

Legend Georges St-Pierre Name Drops Unbeatable #1 P4P Islam Makhachev’s Kryptonite

Georges St-Pierre talks about Islam Makhachev weakness (via Bloody Elbow, ESPN)

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Islam Makhachev has steadily established himself as one of the most well-rounded fighters on the current UFC roster. Initially recognized for his Dagestani wrestling base, he has gradually added a refined striking game to his arsenal. This evolution has expanded his effectiveness across multiple phases of a fight. UFC legend Georges St-Pierre has recently addressed what it may take to overcome Makhachev.

Makhachev made his UFC debut in 2015 and quickly emerged as a consistent force in the lightweight division. Over the years, he secured high-profile victories over Alexander Volkanovski and Charles Oliveira at 155 pounds. His momentum later carried into a move up in weight. At UFC 322, he defeated Jack Della Maddalena to capture the welterweight title, becoming the 11th two-division champion in UFC history.

Makhachev is currently riding a 16-fight winning streak across UFC competition. The only loss in his career dates back to UFC 192 in 2015, where Adriano Martins knocked him out. That defeat remains the lone setback on his record in the promotion. The result has resurfaced in light of St-Pierre’s recent analysis regarding potential paths to victory against the Dagestani superstar.

I think right now, on paper, Islam Makhachev is the best fighter pound for pound. I believe if Islam would fight that guy [Adriano Martins], he would beat him 9 out of 10 times, but that one time he got clipped, and that can happen. To beat Islam Makhachev, you would need a guy that can match his wrestling in a way that either controls his takedowns or, if he gets put down, manages to scramble back up and also fight him standing up.

Georges St-Pierre via The Break Talk

French PFL fighter Mansour Barnaoui has also been central to discussions surrounding Makhachev’s career. The two faced each other in 2013 at M-1 Challenge 38, a bout that provided early insight into Makhachev’s development. Barnaoui later became a training partner of St-Pierre. GSP also identified Barnaoui as the most challenging opponent Makhachev has faced.

Throughout Makhachev’s rise, St-Pierre has consistently acknowledged the significance of his accomplishments. He has supported the view that the Dagestani fighter merits recognition as the top pound-for-pound fighter based on championship-level performances. At the same time, St-Pierre has emphasized the importance of perspective in evaluating dominance.

As Islam Makhachev continues to add titles and records, sections of the MMA community view him as a potential successor to GSP’s legacy. The comparison has intensified as Makhachev succeeds across multiple divisions. St-Pierre has acknowledged this possibility through his assessments of Makhachev’s achievements. His recent remarks underline sustained excellence as the standard for greatness in MMA.

Former UFC star weighs in on Islam Makhachev’s first title defense

There has been growing buzz in the welterweight division surrounding Islam Makhachev’s first title defense. Several younger contenders have positioned themselves for a potential championship opportunity. The competitive landscape has fueled debate over the most viable challenger. Among the names discussed most frequently is former champion Kamaru Usman.

Islam Makhachev handed warnings about fighting at welterweight
Islam Makhachev (via Instagram)

Jorge Masvidal, who faced Usman twice during his UFC career, has recently weighed in on the discussion. His assessment has centered on Usman as the primary contender for Makhachev’s title. The perspective draws from Masvidal’s firsthand experience against the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ at the championship level. Such input has added further attention to Usman’s standing in the division.

Usman is somebody that I personally know could wrestle back into Makhachev. That’s his forte; that’s what Usman started with. Usman is better on the feet, he’s bigger, longer, stronger, and has more experience, using his defensive wrestling like he did with Colby. I actually thought he beat the current 185 champ Khamzat Chimaev. This is the most dangerous fight for Makhachev at 170. That’s a big step up in competition.

Jorge Masvidal via Death Row MMA

Masvidal’s comments have further shaped the conversation around Makhachev’s next challenge at welterweight. His perspective has underscored Usman’s credentials as a proven contender. The assessment aligns with ongoing evaluations of Makhachev’s championship trajectory. As discussions continue, Islam Makhachev remains central to the division’s evolving title picture.

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