Israel Adesanya recently shared his perspective on what sets Islam Makhachev apart from Khabib Nurmagomedov, both iconic figures in the UFC.
A Difficult Legacy to Match
Since Khabib Nurmagomedov retired with an undefeated record, the bar is high for Islam Makhachev. Adesanya, while acknowledging the similarities between the two fighters, also highlights their notable differences.
Distinct Fighting Styles
According to Israel Adesanya, although Makhachev and Nurmagomedov share the same origin and similar wrestling training, their fighting styles have significant differences. Makhachev is often considered a better striker, a point emphasized by Adesanya in a recent video. “Islam has better boxing than Khabib,” he noted. “But Khabib had something special, an aggressiveness and determination that made him unique.” He added, “When I saw him live, the pace he set was frightening,” he recalled. In contrast, he describes Makhachev as “cleaner, more polished, even more dynamic” than his predecessor.
Prediction for the Makhachev vs. Poirier Fight
Adesanya concludes by sharing his expectations for the upcoming fight. “If I have to bet money, I would choose Islam Makhachev,” he said. “But my heart tells me that I want Dustin Poirier to win.” Find our fight prediction here.