What does it take to beat Islam Makhachev? His 15-fight win streak in the lightweight division, which includes four title defenses, makes him look unstoppable. Even as fighters, fans, and analysts ponder how to crack the Makhachev puzzle, UFC commentator and former fighter Paul Felder seems to have hit upon the answer: Conor McGregor.
Felder acknowledged that cracking Makhachev is not easy, listing the various challenges the Dagestani poses for his opponents. “If we’re talking about Islam, man, you have to be physically strong,” Felder said. “You can’t be in there with that guy if you can’t match that level of strength — that’s number one.”
Then comes the relentless pressure Makhachev inflicts, something even opponents like Charles Oliveira could not cope with. “He’s a freak. He’s strong, no doubt, but even he couldn’t handle that kind of pressure. A lot of these guys just can’t,” added Felder.
According to Felder, the fighter has to level up all aspects of his game to stand a chance. He cited the challenge Dustin Poirier put up against Makhachev at UFC 302 last year as an example. Poirier offered the toughest test Makhachev had ever faced in his career. But the American fell short because his grappling game was inadequate.
“You’ve gotta be able to wrestle — not at his level… but enough to at least counter it. You have to be a phenomenal striker with real power. You need to be able to hurt him multiple times throughout the fight,” said Felder, before explaining the McGregor mindset, or approach, which he feels is the key to beating the pound-for-pound champion.
“I think you’ve got to have a mentality and self-belief similar to what Conor had when he was first starting out. Where it was almost delusional how much he believed in himself,” Felder told Inside Fighting.
The commentator added that the opponent has to be a little “crazy” in his approach to stand a chance. Especially since the Dagestani doesn’t have a perceivable weakness to take advantage of. A tremendous belief in abilities, almost bordering on overconfidence like McGregor is a prerequisite.
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson also spoke on similar lines earlier this month while praising Makhachev for how well-rounded a fighter he is.
Islam ahead of Jon Jones, claims Johnson
The UFC pound-for-pound conversation could be one of the most heated and polarizing sports debates in the world, given its subjective nature. But, since UFC bossman Dana White has continued claiming heavyweight champion Jon Jones as the #1 P4P fighter in the world, Johnson felt the need to dispute it.
DJ, who was one of the most complete fighters to ever step in the cage, believes the true mark of P4P status isn’t just titles or hype — it’s the total skillset a fighter brings to the cage.
“MMA is the easiest sport in the world to become a world champion,” Johnson told MMA Junkie Radio. “You can suck and still have holes in your game — and still win a belt.“
It’s the hard truth. In a sport with so many weapons in the arsenal for the fighter to bank on to win, the most well-rounded of fighters would become king. And in Johnson’s eyes, no one fits that mold better right now than Makhachev.
Having trained with him at the Dagestani camp late last year, Johnson has firsthand experience to back his claim.
“He can strike, he can grapple, he’s got judo, jiu-jitsu—he’s battled adversity. He’s the best in the world, period,” Johnson added, asserting, “Jon Jones is right after him.”
Mighty Mouse is even convinced that if Islam were to move to 170 lbs, he would still be a champion. “He’s big, strong, and too skilled not to succeed,” Johnson predicted.
Makhachev could turn the octagon into his fief, no matter the weight division. It seems there is nothing much to do but wait for a new-age McGregor to step in and have a say.
