Islam Makhachev is widely regarded as the best mixed martial artist in the world today. Even UFC president Dana White has placed him above Jon Jones in the pound-for-pound rankings. However, not everyone believes his dominance is without controversy.
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier has raised concerns about a potential fight between Makhachev and featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Cormier believes that if Makhachev wins, critics will argue he only beats smaller fighters.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Daniel Cormier stated:
“I don’t know that Islam should fight him first. For Makhachev, he goes and beats Ilia Topuria, people will say he beat Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria, Charles Oliveira, and Renato Moicano—seems pretty good. That’s five title fight wins. But in that, they’ll say, ‘He’s defended the belt three times against featherweights.’”
Makhachev’s dominance is unquestionable, but his choice of opponents is under scrutiny. If he takes on Topuria, it will mark yet another title defense against a fighter moving up from a lighter division, fueling criticism from fans and analysts alike.
The Debate Over Makhachev’s Title Defenses
While Makhachev has proven himself as the best in the world, some believe his title reign is padded with wins over smaller fighters. Volkanovski moved up from 145 pounds, and now Topuria would be making the same jump if they fought. Critics argue that these fights do not truly test Makhachev’s abilities against natural lightweights or welterweights.
Cormier acknowledged that dominant champions are often subjected to unfair criticism:
“Anytime you have a dominant champion, you look for reasons to discredit them. It happens all the time. ‘Oh, he beat a featherweight and a guy who was ranked lower on a day’s notice.’ People will always try to find holes in his title reign that aren’t there. He is the best in the world, and we should respect that.”
Despite the potential backlash, Makhachev remains laser-focused on proving his greatness. He has already defeated elite competition in Charles Oliveira and Volkanovski twice, showcasing his world-class grappling and striking. A potential bout with Topuria could further strengthen his resume, even if some question its significance.
If the fight against Topuria happens, it will be another chance for Makhachev to silence his doubters and further solidify his place in UFC history. However, if he truly wants to remove all doubts about his dominance, taking on a top-ranked lightweight or even testing himself at welterweight might be the best move for his legacy.
