Islam Makhachev’s ‘Worst Nightmare’ Exposes Holes In P4P King’s Fight Game

Top welterweight contender believes he would destroy the pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev, in a potential fight.

Islam Makhachev’s ‘Worst Nightmare’ Exposes Holes In P4P King’s Fight Game

Joaquin Buckley confidently talks about beating Islam Makhachev (via Imago)

The lightweight boogeyman, Islam Makhachev, has finally moved up to the 170-lbs division after years of dominance in lightweight. The pound-for-pound king made the decision after Jack Della Maddalena beat Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in spectacular fashion. However, according to top contender Joaquin Buckley, Makhachev’s biggest challenge is not JDM. 

The UFC welterweight division is stacked with several top contenders who are willing to welcome the pound-for-pound king. Buckley, in a recent interview with Parry Punch, talked about dominating Makhachev in a potential title fight without hesitation or doubt.

Even though me and Islam have never had a connection, he's going to know a lot about me if we ever get booked to fight. The people he has struggled with and the people that have shown a couple of holes in his game. I'm going to be his worst nightmare, not JDM. JDM has a lot of holes that Islam can exploit. But what I did to Colby and what I'm going to do to Kamaru, even Khabib will probably tell him moving up ain't a good idea.

‘New Mansa’ is currently on a six-fight win streak, beating top fighters such as Vicente Luque and Stephen Thompson. His last win over Colby Covington proved he’s ready for the big leagues. The fight ended after a doctor’s stoppage due to a huge cut. Covington blamed the officials, stating that they ruined his shot, but Buckley believes it was dominance, not luck, that earned him victory.

Currently, Buckley is scheduled to fight former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta next month in a massive showdown. Usman has lost all three of his last fights, raising doubts about his ability to make a successful comeback at this stage. However, the veteran believes he’s capable of beating a young and hungry fighter like Buckley despite his recent struggles and setbacks.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has also talked about fighting Islam Makhachev despite his close friendship with Khabib Nurmagomedov over the years. It would be interesting to see whether the Dagestani’s decision to move up turns out to be good or bad.

UFC veteran believes he would have beaten Islam Makhachev 

Islam Makhachev‘s last UFC outing was at UFC 311, where he was initially scheduled to fight top contender Arman Tsarukyan. However, the Armenian got injured at the very last moment, which paved the way for Renato Moicano to step in unexpectedly. Despite his loud promises, the Brazilian lost the bout in the first round via submission, disappointing fans and failing to deliver.

Beneil Dariush talks about beating Islam Makhachev
Beneil Dariush talks about beating Islam Makhachev (via X)

This substitution cost Beneil Dariush, who was originally scheduled to fight Moicano and was left with no opponent or opportunity. The 36-year-old is currently not fighting anybody, and in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, he talked about fighting Makhachev. During the conversation, Dariush mentioned that he would take the fight long, which will ultimately help him against the pound-for-pound king.

I would’ve won. It would’ve been a finish for sure. It wasn’t gonna go five rounds. The way Makhachev and I fight, it’s not going five rounds. Neither of us have ever lost a decision. He doesn’t lose decisions. I don’t lose decisions. I don’t think I was gonna lose that fight. I thought pretty sure I was gonna win that fight. 

Currently, Makhachev will be focused on nothing except his upcoming welterweight title bout with Jack Della Maddalena.  After UFC 315, many fans and experts have also begun backing JDM to beat the Dagestani fighter.