If you are familiar with the MMA community’s big personalities, you will most definitely know who Ariel Helwani is. If you are not so familiar, Ariel is an award-winning Canadian-American ‘journalist’ who is by far the most widely known in the MMA World.
In the aftermath of UFC 264 Makhachev vs Volkanovski, in Perth, Australia. Ariel has stated that he is confident in saying Islam is not as good as his now-mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
In 2021 when Khabib vacated his title following three title defences. As a result, There was one name that kept cropping up in talks of his successor. That name was Islam Makhachev.
Now, a few years later, Islam is the reigning champion of the 155ers, winning gold with ‘The Eagle’ in his corner just as Khabib won the titles a few years prior.
UFC 264: Makhachev vs Volkanovski
On the 12th of February 2023, Islam Makhachev faced up to Champion Featherweight, Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski. In a matchup for the Lightweight title, in Alexanders native Australia. The gruelling 5-round fight went the full distance, with judges favouring the Dagestani, Islam Makhachev in a controversial unanimous decision.
This would be Makhachev’s first title defence since capturing gold, although, Khabib Nurmagomedov was not in Islam’s corner for this fight.
Khabib has often been one of Islam’s biggest supporters, with himself & coach Javier Mendez touting him to surpass the legacy of Khabib.
Ariel Helwani Gives Final Thoughts
On a recent episode of ‘The MMA Hour’ which Ariel hosts, He watches back the weekend’s PPV, specifically the main event. Which he had a few things to say regarding Islam Makhachev;
“I’m sorry, he isn’t as good as Khabib. He is not!” Helwani said. “At this stage, 26 fights in, Khabib was more refined, dominant, better… That being said, he’s (Makhachev’s) one of the top-three best fighters on the planet. I know we’re not allowed to criticize Islam Makhachev, I know that’s taboo.”
Ariel then went on to state that perhaps we shouldn’t tar Islam with the same brush as Khabib whatsoever;
“I believe we are putting the praise and all the stuff we had on Khabib on his (Makhachev’s) shoulders. We are taking the baton that Khabib had and giving it to him because we want to continue that lineage,” Helwani continued. “It ain’t the same. He’s not the same guy right now… How do I know he’s not the same guy? Khabib never got knocked out by the Adriano Martins’ of the world… Khabib was never put in a position like this, on Saturday, in the fifth round getting beat up.”
[Quotes via MMA News]
Makhachev’s first title defence possibly didn’t go as many may have thought with Alexander Volkanovski proving to be hard work for the Dagestan native. It certainly caused more of a stir than Khabib’s first title defence, with a lot of fans expecting the bigger man to breeze by Alexander, although that most definitely was not the case.
Do you agree with Ariel’s sentiment? Or do you believe that Islam is already at Khabib’s level? Possibly even passing it.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
