Islam Makhachev is one of the greatest UFC lightweights of all time. The UFC lightweight king is on a thirteen-fight win streak and is gearing up for his third title defense against the legendary Dustin Poirier this Saturday. Their UFC 302 main event bout will be the first time he faces a 155-pounder since becoming champion two years ago.

Undoubtedly, making it even more special is the fact that his friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov will be back in his corner for the first time since his UFC 280 title clash against Charles Oliveira. However, despite these accolades in the octagon, the UFC fans, in their signature irreverent manner, have been targeting the Dagestani with a unique and interesting meme. And ahead of UFC 302, we take a look at the origin of the meme.

Explaining Islam Makhachev’s autism rumors

Islam Makhachev seems slightly socially awkward. There are various memes doing the rounds on MMA internet, which show him having somewhat awkward conversations and reactions. For example, his gaping-mouthed reaction to the UFC 272 bout between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal has been made fun of in countless memes on the internet.

Because of this perceived awkwardness and these strange, over-the-top reactions, some of the fans have started joking that Makhachev may be neurodivergent, and may be on the Autism Spectrum. While the range of symptoms for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is quite extensive, some think his bewildered reactions and less-than-graceful conversations as evidence for it.

But not everyone agrees with it. This raises the question: what is the argument on the other side? Some feel that this is a misreading of what is going on. They point out that Makhachev hails from the Russian province (or Republic, as they are officially called) of Dagestan. As such, he is a native Russian speaker and acquired English as a second language since he came to America in 2015. This is why Makhachev’s conversations and the various interviews he does in English may come across as awkward and somewhat strange to native English speakers.

As a rule, fluency in a second language is much, much more difficult and rare to acquire, especially when speaking a language as different as English and Russian. Does that prove he does not fall on the Spectrum? He might, but that is for a medical professional to diagnose, and not for people on the internet. However, the point stands that the conversations that some fans point out as evidence for his neurodivergence could easily be ascribed to difficulties he has in communicating in a newly learned second language.

Makhachev and Poirier make weight successfully

The Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier title clash will go ahead as per the schedule. Clearing the last hurdle, the two UFC legends successfully made weight (weighing in at 155 pounds on the dot) at the official weigh-in ceremony last night. And many are curious how does the match-up between ‘The Diamond’ and the Dagestani champ is stacking up. Does Poirier, who doesn’t have much of a ground game, have a chance against Makhachev? Well, this being MMA, perhaps the most unpredictable sport, one would say, of course.

But how? Poirier will enter the UFC octagon for the thirty-first time this Saturday. With his excellent boxing and warrior mindset, the American has been fighting at the top of the lightweight division (thought to be the UFC’s most competitive and stacked) for nearly a decade.

While his ground game may not be to the level of his Dagestani opponent, he does have excellent striking and very heavy hands, that are no strangers to pulling off upsets as ‘The Diamond’ did last time around against Benoit Saint-Denis (who was the overwhelming favorite going into their bout) a few months ago.

But that’s not all. In addition to his historically great striking, his experience is perhaps his biggest strength. Having been there, done that against the biggest names in the division (including Conor McGregor), ‘The Diamond’s guile and craftiness borne out of his experience presents a unique and novel challenge to the champion. What are your predictions for UFC 302? Let us know in the comments below.