Islam Makhachev Shocks the World Has He Already Surpassed Khabib’s Legacy

Islam Makhachev, the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, solidified his legacy in MMA with a dominant performance at UFC 311 in Los Angeles. In a matter of minutes, he submitted Renato Moicano, securing his fourth title defense—the most in UFC lightweight history.

This victory not only cemented his dominance but also saw him surpass his legendary mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib retired with an unblemished 29-0 record, but Makhachev is on track to build an even more impressive resume.

Now, the burning question remains: Has Makhachev eclipsed ‘The Eagle’?

Brendan Schaub’s Shocking Take on Makhachev vs. Khabib

Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub didn’t hold back on his Thiccc Boy podcast, making a bold declaration:

“Islam’s a better fighter than Khabib. Better striking. More dominant. A better finisher.”

According to Schaub, nostalgia is the only reason fans still rank Khabib above Makhachev—a sentiment similar to the Mike Tyson effect. He argued that Makhachev has faced tougher competition than Khabib ever did.

“Khabib’s in this aura right now, like, ‘Oh, he’s so dominant; no one’s ever going to surpass him.’ It’s all sentimental. But that doesn’t matter.”

Schaub Slams Khabib’s Resume

The former UFC heavyweight doubled down on his take, claiming Khabib never faced an elite grappler and mostly fought opponents past their prime:

“His strength of schedule is terrible. Conor McGregor? Pure striker. Dustin Poirier? Older. Justin Gaethje? Hell of a lot older. Islam’s just better.”**

Schaub’s controversial stance has ignited debate among MMA purists, but there’s one undeniable fact: Makhachev’s achievements speak for themselves.

The Dagestan Brotherhood: Khabib’s Role in Makhachev’s Rise

Despite the comparisons, Khabib Nurmagomedov has been Makhachev’s biggest supporter. The two grew up together in Dagestan, trained under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and forged a brotherhood that shaped their careers.

Following Abdulmanap’s passing in 2020, Khabib transitioned from training partner to mentor, guiding Makhachev to UFC gold. While Makhachev may have surpassed his mentor statistically, Khabib’s impact on his career remains undeniable.

Even though Schaub discredits Khabib’s strength of schedule, the undefeated champion dominated every opponent he faced. He never showed weakness, never bled in the Octagon, and rarely lost a round. That level of dominance is almost mythical in combat sports history.

Dana White Finally Backs Makhachev as UFC’s Best Fighter

For years, Dana White hesitated to crown Islam Makhachev as the best pound-for-pound fighter, citing Jon Jones as the rightful king. But UFC 311 changed everything.

“He’s already No. 1. Yeah, I’ll give it to him. Islam was willing to fight anybody. He’s stayed active and performed like the best in the world.”

Makhachev’s dominant first-round finish, especially on short notice, convinced White to acknowledge him as the UFC’s true top fighter.

What’s Next for Islam Makhachev?

With his dominance at UFC 311, Makhachev has proven he’s the best lightweight in UFC history. But what’s next? Will he move up to welterweight to chase double-champ status? Or will he continue breaking records at 155 lbs? One thing’s certain—his reign is far from over.