Islam Makhachev can become the best fighter in the world
And these plans can be implemented as early as next year.
Russian fighter Islam Makhachev is right now the champion of the UFC lightweight division and the second number in the table of the best fighters in the world, regardless of the weight category.
But in order to become the best of the best for a long time and enter the history of mixed martial arts, according to his coach Javier Mendez, he needs to take two more steps.
“Islam is already the big boss in the octagon. But he needs to do more. Islam needs to defeat #1 ranked Volkanovski and lightweight champion Dariusz. Thus, it will eliminate its main competitors. So Volkanovski himself once did in his division, sweeping away from the main stars. That's how he became the best. Now it is Islam's turn to follow the same path,” the expert explained.
The Russian fighter will fight with Volkanovski already in February 2023 at a tournament in Australia, and the fight with Dariush may be the next.