Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has played down comparisons between himself and former division titleholder, Khabib Nurmagomedov – claiming that while the Hall of Fame star had his time of dominance, it’s not his time to take the mantle.
Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight gold holder and the current pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the banner of the promotion, is slated to return to the Octagon this weekend in New Jersey, headlining UFC 302.
Taking on former interim titleholder, Dustin Poirier, Russian standout, Makhachev will look to land his third consecutive successful defense of the divisional crown – following back-to-back victories over former undisputed featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski.