“Islam can be called the second Khabib”: how Russia reacted to the confident victory of Makhachev and the controversial defeat of Yan

“Makhachev has risen to the top of light weight for a long time”

The conquest of the UFC lightweight championship belt by Islam Makhachev was a long-awaited event for domestic MMA fans.

Since Khabib Nurmagomedov retired in 2020, they have been waiting for a friend and countryman to replace him at the top.

As a result, this happened after only two years.

Moreover, in the title fight, the Russian did not leave any chance to Charles Oliveira.

Already in the first round, he moved the opponent to the ground, and in the second he knocked him down with a powerful right side and held him with a choke.

For most experts, the Brazilian's dominance came as no surprise.

So, ex-Bellator champion Andrei Koreshkov noted the excellent form of his compatriot, which allowed him to confidently get the better of a dangerous opponent.

“We are well aware that for Makhachev, winning the UFC belt is the goal of a lifetime.

He approached the training camp very responsibly.

The advantage of the Russian in the stalls also turned out to be expected.

We know how good Islam is in this component.

And in general, for all representatives of the Nurmagomedov school, like for himself, the struggle is at a very high level.

I guessed that the Brazilian would not be able to surprise him here either.

But the work in the stand was more or less equal, until Makhachev shocked his opponent in the second round, ”Koreshkov summed up the fight.

The president of M-1 Global, Vadim Finkelstein, had no doubts about the success of the native of Dagestan, in the organization of which he had four fights in 2013-2014 and won all of them.

According to the functionary, a couple of years ago he predicted that the athlete would win the UFC title.

“He can be called the second Khabib.

All the fights of Islam even then turned out to be spectacular.

Plus, he's a very professional guy.

But weak athletes did not get to us.

Look how great Ramazan Emeev and Shavkat Rakhmonov are performing in the UFC now.

Many assumed that Oliveira would create serious difficulties for the Russian, but I did not believe in it.

I understood: the Brazilian is able to take over only if some kind of unpleasant accident happens.

And with such support, Makhachev simply had no right to lose.

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov dragged him forward all the time, because he saw great talent in him, ”Finkelstein recalled.

The head of AMC Fight Nights, Kamil Gadzhiev, on the contrary, admitted that he did not expect such a confident performance from the Russian.

The key to success, he called his excellent work in the stalls.

Oliveira failed to resist her, despite the black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

The functionary also noted the calmness of the victor, surprising for a duel of this level.

“I once heard from Khabib how good Islam is in wrestling.

Such words from Nurmagomedov himself are a 100% mark of quality.

I was sure that if Makhachev pulled the Brazilian down, it would not be easy for him.

In the first round, he tried to throw a triangle, but did not succeed.

Such moments have a negative psychological effect.

You understand how good the opponent is and that you have nothing to cover.

Oliveira looked confused already at the end of the first round.

But Makhachev's advantage in the standing position came as a surprise.

Still, in a title fight, people are usually tense and a little constrained.

But I didn’t notice this in Islam,” Hajiyev said.

After the success, many began to compare the new champion with his friend Khabib Nurmagomedov.

However, according to the head of AMC Fight Nights, this is not worth doing, since both are equally good.

As an example, he cited disputes in football, when fans are trying to determine the best between Diego Maradona or Pele.

But Finkelstein believes that Makhachev, if not above the level of his comrade, then in any case is versatile.

“This, in principle, is the difference between modern fighters.

They are true all-rounders and are able to prove themselves both on the ground and in the standing position.

Nurmagomedov got out of wrestling, out of sambo, and his friend was already starting to study everything in a complex.

I'm sure Islam has risen to the top of the lightweight division for a long time to come.

It is unlikely that anyone will be able to press him in the coming years, ”the functionary added.

The athlete himself can put an end to this dispute if he defeats UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and wins the second belt.

It is not easy to find opponents for him in his native category, but as the most obvious option, Koreshkov named Beneil Dariush, who defeated Mateusz Gamrot in Abu Dhabi.

“He has good defense against takedowns, he is able to work well on the ground.

Moreover, I was pleasantly surprised by his stance and biting punches both with his feet and with his hands.

This is a dangerous opponent.

I think if Makhachev is now organized a duel with Volkanovski, it will be a little ugly in relation to Dariusz.

How long does he interrupt all the tops, but Beneil continues to be kept in the background.

Although it is possible that he will become a substitute for the fight between the Russian and the Australian, ”the ex-Bellator champion suggested.

“Some judges may have bias in their heads”

Another highlight of UFC 280 was the controversial loss of Petr Yan to Sean O'Malley.

The Russian for the most part had the advantage and successfully transferred the opponent to the ground, but the judges gave the victory to the American by a split decision.

According to Koreshkov, Jan clearly did more in order to succeed.

“Yes, he probably lost in the first round, but even that is debatable.

A large number of accurate strikes speak in favor of the American.

There were moments when he hit, and the Russian could not do anything.

But in the second and third segments, our athlete returned the favor and he himself achieved a knockdown, although he received a deep cut.

Judging by the damage done, Sean won, and if by the struggle, Ian threw him and flunked him.

But, again, in the final round, O'Malley always found an opportunity to move up.

Here the question is, by what criteria were they evaluated, ”the expert emphasized.

Gadzhiev spoke much more harshly.

He considered the decision of the judges more than ambiguous.

The functionary admitted that he specifically reviewed the fight again, trying to maintain maximum impartiality, but only strengthened his opinion: all three referees were obliged to take the side of the Russian.

“It is difficult for me to say what such a verdict of the arbitrators can be connected with.

Perhaps they have some special criteria and attitudes, because of which they interpret certain episodes differently.

Policy intervention?

It is hard to say.

Of course, Dana White does not fit with the requirement to sue the Russians, but some referees may have a bias in their heads, ”complained the head of AMC Fight Nights.

Finkelstein also doubted that the judges in the UFC are able to have a negative attitude towards athletes from one country or another.

“Their work is not dependent on the UFC.

Judges are appointed by a special commission.

But I don't think that in Yan's case we can talk about a politically motivated decision.

I have never noticed this either in the UFC or in other large organizations, ”the functionary emphasized.

However, according to experts, the Russian needs to blame not only the arbitrators, but also himself.

So, Hajiyev believes that he approached the confrontation not in the best shape and did not show maximum speed.

“Ian should have been more pragmatic in the final round and tried to spend more time on the ground.

After the second segment, I was sure that this would happen, and the guys would work on retention.

Sometimes this is difficult to do.

Perhaps the Russian by that time had functionally used himself up.

We don’t know what was going on in his head and muscles,” said Hajiyev.

And Koreshkov called O'Malley an unpleasant rival for Jan according to anthropometric data.

Sean is much taller and has a noticeably large arm span, which helped him keep a dangerous opponent at a distance.

“Therefore, it was very difficult for Peter to hit.

After the fight, I looked at the statistics and realized that O'Malley ended up landing more accented punches.

He shot well from afar.

And Jan seems to have thrown a lot, but everything is past, ”summed up the ex-Bellator champion.