Beneil Darisuh believes there is one fighter who has what it takes to dethrone lightweight king Islam Makhachev. And his choice may surprise many UFC fans.
Islam Makhachev has put together a resume that makes him a lock to be in the UFC Hall-of-Fame one day. Over the last decade, he has stepped inside the Octagon 17 times and only lost once. And he still could fight another five years if he so chooses.
Related: Islam Makhachev next fight – 3 opponent options for the lightweight champs return
During his UFC career, he has scored victories over some of the greatest fighters of this era. Men like Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, and featherweight legend Alexander Volkanovski (twice). It would have seemed laughable at one time, but there is a growing debate that he is the best 155-pound fighter of all time. Even better than pal and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The Russian seems unbeatable and there are very few challenges left for him at lightweight. However, top-10 155er Beneil Dariush believes there is one man who would be a tough matchup for Makhachev. And it’s not Dariush or top contender Arman Tsarukyan.
- Islam Makhachev record: 27-1 (5 knockouts, 13 submissions)
Could Max Holloway be Islam Makhachev’s kryptonite?
“You know who’d be interesting? Max Holloway,” Dariush said during a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Fight Nation [h/t Sportskeeda]. “I think Max Holloway could be an interesting fight for Makhachev. So we’ll see… Because he’s hard to hold, he has excellent cardio, and he throws a lot of volume, and I think these are things that could be difficult for Makhachev.”
Max Holloway is a first-ballot UFC Hall-of-Famer and one of the greatest featherweight fighters of all time. However, the current BMF champion being the man who can beat Islam Makhachev might surprise some. Mainly based on their shared opponents.
- Max Holloway record: 26-8 (12 knockouts, 2 submissions)
The Hawaiian has lost to Volkanovski three times and Poirier twice. Makhachev beat both of those men and decisively in two of those bouts. However, MMA math is a weird thing and it doesn’t always add up. Holloway would certainly offer Makhachev some threat if he can slow down the Russian’s elite wrestling.
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