Great opportunities in mixed martial arts are few and far between, but John Makdessi realized when the biggest one of his career was there for the taking.
When Khabib Nurmagomedov injured his knee and was forced out of his highly anticipated bout against Donald Cerrone at UFC 187, there was suddenly a space available opposite Cowboy. With Cerrone being on the hottest streak of his impressive career and sitting within striking distance of a title shot, the list of potential replacements was thin—and understandably so.
Over the course of his current seven-fight winning streak, the Colorado native carved out his spot as a potential title contender by besting a collection of elite-level talent, and he did so in impressive fashion.