“Need New Haters” – Islam Makhachev Has Hilarious Response to Former Rival’s Praise

Former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev replies to Dan Hooker's praise and comparison to Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“Need New Haters” – Islam Makhachev Has Hilarious Response to Former Rival’s Praise

Islam Makhachev replies to Dan Hooker's praise (via talkSport, MMA Fighting)

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Islam Makhachev has continued to solidify his presence in mixed martial arts, demonstrating consistent performance both inside and outside the octagon. In recent weeks, he has become a focal point in discussions surrounding rising UFC contenders, particularly due to his social media activity. He recently replied to Dan Hooker‘s praise, comparing him to surpassing UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Makhachev is the former lightweight champion and vacated his belt in May 2025 to pursue a move up to the welterweight division. He dominated the 155-pound division with title defences against the likes of Dustin Poirier and Alexander Volkanovski. However, his first win over a top 10-ranked contender before winning the title came at UFC 267 against Hooker, who was #6 ranked in 2021.

The New Zealand native recognized Makhachev’s abilities in a recent interview. The acknowledgment from a former adversary underscored the level of respect Makhachev has earned among top-tier competitors. Hooker applauded Makhachev’s decision to fight welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. The Dagestani superstar recently replied to Hooker’s comments on X.

Need new haters, the old one are starting to like me.

Islam Makhachev via X

The trajectory of Makhachev’s career illustrated a steady accumulation of accolades and competitive wins. His record shows a string of victories that demonstrate proficiency across multiple aspects of MMA, including grappling, striking, and tactical control. He made his UFC debut back at UFC 187 in 2015 and took the hard way up to title contention when he defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.

Makhachev’s ambitions appear aimed at surpassing even Khabib Nurmagomedov in terms of accolades and dominance within the lightweight division. In preparation for his upcoming fight against Maddalena at UFC 322, Makhachev has notably increased his physical strength and muscle mass, reflecting a focused effort to enhance both power and endurance.

Should Islam Makhachev defeat Della Maddalena, a potential matchup against lightweight champion Ilia Topuria seemed inevitable could further elevate his standing. This presenting an opportunity to test his skills against another top contender while continuing to build his legacy in the lightweight division and the UFC and Dan Hooker’s comments only underlined this.

Fans react to Islam Makhachev’s reply to Dan Hooker’s praise

Islam Makhachev’s recent social media activity has drawn significant attention from the MMA community, highlighting the interplay between fighter performance and online engagement. Observers have been closely monitoring his responses to rival commentary, as well as his own posts, to gauge both his mindset and upcoming plans. The reactions reflect how fighters’ public personas can shape fan expectations.

Dan Hooker getting choked by Islam Makhachev
Dan Hooker getting choked by Islam Makhachev at UFC 267 (via X)

A large portion of fans have expressed frustration over Ali Abdelaziz’s activity on Makhachev’s social media, urging the manager to refrain from posting or commenting on behalf of the fighter. Many supporters have also weighed in on the potential next steps for Makhachev, specifically encouraging him to pursue a fight against Ilia Topuria following his scheduled bout with Jack Della Maddalena.

Overall, the fan response underscores the growing role of social media in MMA, where online commentary and public perception can have tangible effects on matchmaking and fighter reputation. Fans continue to track Islam Makhachev’s career trajectory, voicing opinions on both his immediate plans and long-term ambitions.

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