“Not even close,” Michael Chandler believes Islam Makhachev isn’t the next big thing as compared to Khabib Nurmagomedov

“Not even close,” Michael Chandler believes Islam Makhachev isn’t the next big thing as compared to Khabib Nurmagomedov

Michael Chandler and Islam Makhachev

The Dagestani prodigy, Islam Makhachev secured a top-notch win against the number 6th ranked Lightweight fighter, Dan Hooker at UFC 267. After this Lightweight contest, the next big fight in the division is scheduled between former title challengers Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje, which is going to take place at UFC 268.

Chandler was booked to serve as a replacement fighter for the Lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. But he didn’t get a chance to make his debut that time and Michael Chandler entered the UFC octagon for the first time at UFC 257 and defeated Dan Hooker via first-round knockout.

Since joining UFC, the former Bellator Lightweight title holder, Michael Chandler always wanted to face Khabib Nurmagomedov but ‘The Eagle’ retired after his win against Gaethje and now Islam Makhachev is the talk of the town and everyone is comparing him to Khabib Nurmagomedov. 

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In the UFC 268 press conference, when Michael Chandler was asked about Islam Makhachev being the next thing as compared to Khabib, he says, “No not even close, I mean are they similar absolutely, are they brothers and teammates, yes but what Khabib has accomplished it wasn’t Khabib’s skill set, it was the mystique that surrounded Khabib’s accomplishments inside this sport. He was undefeated and making every superhuman guy inside the division look likes a mere mortal.”

Michael Chandler comments Islam Makhachev only secured one win against the top five

Michael Chandler at UFC 262
Michael Chandler

Islam Makhachev demanded a title shot with his win against Dan Hooker at UFC 267 and claimed all the top five guys in the division are old and they already fought for the title once. But Michael Chandler believes Islam Makhachev only secured one win in the top five and he needs more wins before comparing to Khabib.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=rQWVvnVq6g8

Chandler says, “So I wouldn’t say he is the next best thing whatsoever, I do think he is very good, I do think he is very strong, obviously the way he dispatched Dan Hooker in the first round solidifies him as the top guy but when you start comparing those who he is not there yet because this is his first time beating the guy in the top ten and Khabib did too for however many years before that.”

Also Read: “Justin Gaethje got the same amount of preferential treatment,” Michael Chandler claims Gaethje gets the same Dana White privilege after his UFC debut.