5 things you need to know about Islam Makhachev, the next big thing in the UFC lightweight division

#2. Islam Makhachev is one of the best grapplers in the UFC lightweight division

Islam Makhachev takes down Drew Dober at UFC 259

It only makes sense that Islam Makhachev is one of the best grapplers in the UFC, since he is compared to Khabib so much. Having spent a lifetime under the tutelage of Khabib's father Abdulmanap, Makhachev has become dominant in the craft that the Dagestanis are usually known for.

Islam Makhachev's takedown accuracy is the highest in the UFC lightweight division at 68%. Other grapplers in the division, such as Charles Oliveira and Tony Ferguson, don't even come close. The Dagestani wrestler has totaled eight takedowns in his last five outings. Out of 19 career wins, Islam has eight submissions (three in the UFC).

Islam Makhachev is also one of the best defensive grapplers in the division, with a 68% takedown defense. The only fighter in the top ten of the UFC lightweight division who beats Makhachev in this department is Kevin Lee at 75%. Makhachev has been taken down only once in his entire MMA career, which was against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Fight Night 149.

Watch Islam Makhachev wrestle with Daniel Cormier at AKA:

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#1. UFC lightweights are afraid of fighting Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev is a promising lightweight fighter who would be in the top five of the UFC division by now if his competition wasn't afraid of him. Makhachev's coach Javier Mendez has revealed that most fighters in the UFC consider Makhachev a tough fight to take on. Mendez said:

"Islam is having a hell of a time getting opponents because nobody wants to fight him."

5 years ago I’ve been in same situation like @MAKHACHEVMMA today. No one wants take a fight with him today. Next lightweight champion InshaAllah #ufc254

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) October 10, 2020

The only fighters willing to fight Islam Makhachev are either ranked lower than him or are unranked. Top-tier fighters avoid him mainly because of the high risk and low reward involved in such a fight.

Former UFC lightweight Paul Felder revealed that he was afraid to fight Makhachev when he was presented with the opportunity. Felder said:

"There are certain guys in the division, where.. when you get that phone call, you go 'Ah, man'. Because you know what you're in for, right? You fight a guy like Islam, you might as well just be fighting his teammate, who is one of the greatest of all time, Khabib.. Khabib is putting him over all the time saying that this kid (Islam), not only can wrestle like that, but his stand-up is on point, which he didn't have to show, really, in that fight because his wrestling is so dominant. And as a wrestler, you see this kid wrestle and go like, 'god damn, this kid is good'."

@danthehangman @felderpaul and Kevin Lee are the guys I called out in last six months, and they all scared to pronounce my name or even think about fight with me 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️ who should I fight next??

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) October 23, 2019