Islam Makhachev proved exactly why he’s the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world right now. The lightweight champion went past last-minute substitute challenger Renato Moicano with ease and submitted him in the first round. It was a dominant display of skill and superiority that left UFC commentator Joe Rogan awestruck.Â
Makhachev came into the fight with the intention to finish the fight as soon as possible and he did exactly that. The champion took down Moicano with ease and locked his favorite D’Arce choke, which forced the fighter to tap. Joe Rogan was there on the commentary table and couldn’t believe how quickly the fight came to an end.Â
He is just sensational. The kind of pressure is on a champion to come in and take a fight against an unheralded challenger…and to perform that way and just immediately sync up a submission.Â
Joe Rogan via ESPN MMAÂ
The fight was originally between Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. Due to an injury, the Armenian star had to pull out. Moicano stepped up and was hyped about potentially winning, but, the Dagestani was able to show the difference in levels. With the win, Makhachev, on paper, became the greatest lightweight in the history of the promotion.Â
The fighter has now the most number of title wins in the division and is hungry to become a double champion. Legendary Daniel Cormier also pitched in and stated how despite being a BJJ black belt, Moicano failed against Makhachev’s ground game. Even Dana White has now agreed to the fact that Makhachev is indeed the pound-for-pound best in the UFC.Â
Islam Makhachev talks about his dominant victory against Renato Moicano at UFC 311
Islam Makhachev has always said that Russian sambo is better than Brazilian jiu-jitsu and he has proved that again and again. In the past, he has dominated many BJJ black belts such as Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, etc. He submitted all of them with his incredible ground control and squeeze strength.Â
Joe Rogan reacts to Islam Makhachev beating Renato Moicano at UFC 311 (via Instagram/X)A few years ago, the Dagestani fighter went viral for questioning the BJJ black belt status for many fighters. Since then, he has taken it upon himself to expose the truth. After the fight in an interview, he shared why he took Moicano to the ground in the first round.Â
First round everybody is dangerous. I think ‘Hey try what he have in the ground’….I check. Who have real black belt, who don’t have real black belt. Sambo best.Â
Islam Makhachev via ESPN MMAÂ
During the octagon interview, the champion gave an open invitation to anybody who wanted to challenge him for the belt. Islam Makhachev is ready to fight anybody whoever the UFC puts in front of him. In his next fight, he has the opportunity to match Anderson Silva’s legendary 16-fight winning streak.Â
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