Comparisons between UFC fighters with similar styles are common. However, this comparison becomes more complicated when it is between a mentor and a protege. Islam Makhachev has solidified himself as one of the sport’s most dominant champions. However, former UFC lightweight, Eddie Alvarez believes the Dagestani star’s approach makes him more beatable than his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, the outspoken Alvarez didn’t mince words when comparing the two smothering grapplers. He believed that Makhachev had a more diverse skillset than Khabib Nurmagomeodov. However, he felt that Nurmagomedov possessed the unbeatable aura that is somewhat lacking in Makhachev.
Islam is not Khabib he doesn’t fight like Khabib. He takes more chances, he takes more risks, and relies on finishing guys…..So he’s a little bit fun to watch, but he’s more susceptible to getting beat than Khabib was.
Eddie Alvarez via The MMA Hour
He elaborated that Islam Makhachev was willing to take risks and chase finishes. He believed that it’s that very aggression that creates more vulnerabilities. As per him, Khabib Nurmagomedov relied on his dominant grappling to control fights and took lesser risks. This made him much more unbeatable than the current champion.
There’s no denying the electrifying results Makahachev’s fighting style has produced. His UFC 302 war with Dustin Poirier was an all-out thriller before he sealed the deal with a slick D’Arce choke finish. His last fight against Alexander Volkanovski showcased a head-kick knockout, unheard of by dominant grapplers.
Eddie Alvarez believes Dustin Poirier may have cracked the Dagestani wrestling code
For years, the elite grapplers emerging from the Dagestani region of Russia have been MMA’s toughest puzzles to solve. But according to Alvarez, Dustin Poirier may have cracked the code at UFC 302.
Eddie Alvarez gave props to Dustin Poirier (via YouTube)Poirier’s gritty performance showed flashes of how to potentially solve the “Dagestani puzzle” in Alvarez’s eyes. This was even after he lost to the seemingly unstoppable Islam Makhachev. The Philadelphia fighter broke it down with his typical candor.
No matter what went on that round, if Islam [Makhachev] had his back for five whole minutes, no problem. Breathe through it. You know by minute fifteen, that wrestling isn’t going to be the same, and it’s essentially going to become you two standing up and do what Dustin does…put that sprint on him, and put him away.
Eddie Alvarez via The MMA Hour
Alvarez saw enough from his old foe to believe the puzzle pieces were there to potentially topple one of these elite Dagestani fighters. Of course, that’s much easier said than done against someone as dominating as Makhachev. But Poirier went 5 rounds with Makahchev in a fight most believed to last at most 3 rounds.
