Some regard Islam Makhachev as the top fighter in the world. But the reigning UFC champion believes another holds that title.
Makhachev recently gave honors of the most dangerous man in the sport to reigning three-division ONE champion, Anatoly Malykhin.
Related: 10 Best MMA fighters of all time, including Fedor Emelianenko and UFC GOAT Jon Jones
The Russian holds the heavyweight, light heavyweight and middleweight titles in the Asia-based promotion. He is a perfect 14-0 with all 14 of his fights ending via finish.
Malykhin recently finished Reinier de Ridder in the third round to claim the middleweight belt. He unified the heavyweight titles with a June stoppage of Arjan Bhullar and won the light heavyweight title in 2022 when he knocked de Ridder out.
Upon hearing that Makhachev called him the “most dangerous guy on the planet,” Malykhin called it “inspiring.”
“It’s very inspiring to hear that,” he said in an interview with Sports Illustrated (thanks to MMA News for the quotes). “Islam is the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter. I’ve been following him for quite a long time.
“I used to watch Khabib’s (Nuragomedov) fights, too. To see that, it’s an amazing sign of respect.”
