Back in the last decade, when UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor at UFC 229. He then established himself as a dominant force in the sport. This dominance made it hard for some to accept that such a seemingly “perfect” fighter could exist. Khabib ultimately retired undefeated, leaving a lasting legacy. Following Nurmagomedov’s retirement, Islam Makhachev emerged as a top contender.
Moreover, some believe he has even surpassed “The Eagle” in skill, a notion seemingly supported by his upcoming opponent, Dustin Poirier. In a recent interview, Poirier acknowledged this, stating, ” [Islam’s] definitely a different fighter, great clinch, good trips. I think he’s a little bit more of a fluid striker than Khabib.”
Poirier’s comments sparked a frenzy after a recent video emerged on the official Instagram account of UFC Eurasia. The video showcases Islam Mkahachev’s impressive football skills, where he unleashes a powerful long-range shot and scores a goal. Khabib’s reaction in the video speaks volumes, as his expression clearly conveys shock at Makhachev’s hidden talent.
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Meanwhile, the video went viral, capturing the attention of fans and the MMA world alike. Its popularity sparked hilarious comments, including the comparison of Islam Makhachev’s skills to those of Lionel Messi, and Khabib’s shocked expression was a major amusement. Even fans’s comments added to the overall humor of the video.
Fans react as Islam Makhachev’s unrivaled talent leaves Khabib in awe
Islam Makhachev’s perfectly executed kick not only found the net, but also captured the hearts of fans. One fan hilariously captured Khabib’s stunned expression, commenting, “Khabib looks shocked!” Another fan, playfully sparking debate, commented, “Khabib’s thinking, ‘He surpasses me with this one, but not top control,‘” This comment ignited similar questions in the minds of other fans.
The debate continued to escalate, with one fan making a humorous comparison, commenting, “Islam as Messi, Habib as Ron!” This comment playfully compared the Dagestani fighter’s style to the legendary football players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, not all comments were lighthearted. Another Instagram user, emphasizing their Russian background, commented, “He’s a Dagestani, he’s Makhachyev, he’s talented, and he is a lackey.”
One fan, clearly stunned, commented, “Damn, Islam is so talented! He even left Khabib speechless! Is there anything this guy can’t do?” This comment playfully poked at Khabib’s reaction while highlighting Makhachev’s impressive skills. However, not all comments focused on humor. Some fans expressed their appreciation for both fighters’s talents, emphasizing their strong bond.
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One such comment stated, “Is there anything Khabib and Islam can’t achieve?” showcasing the fan’s support for both. Finally, another comment veered off-topic, introducing a potentially irrelevant political element related to Russia’s past. It stated, “Islam is also a leftist in football,” but the connection between football and political ideology remains unclear.
In light of these comments, it’s difficult to say definitively whether Islam Makhachev will surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov’s achievements. Time will tell, and his upcoming fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 will be a significant test. Khabib did defeat Poirier in the past, but whether Islam can replicate that success remains to be seen. Stay tuned!