Recent discussions among mixed martial arts pundits and a UFC Hall of Famer have centered on Islam Makhachev's standing as the greatest of all time (GOAT), his current two-division reign, and the possibility of him pursuing a third UFC title at 185 pounds.
GOAT Debate Ignited
Streamer SNEAKO recently asserted that Islam Makhachev has surpassed Khabib Nurmagomedov in the GOAT conversation. According to MMA Sucka, SNEAKO highlighted Makhachev's achievement of becoming a two-division champion and his greater number of title defenses compared to Nurmagomedov as key factors in his assessment. UFC President Dana White also commented on Makhachev's GOAT status following his record-breaking win streak at UFC 330 in August 2026.
Chasing a Third Title at 185 Pounds
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping has publicly advocated for Islam Makhachev to attempt to become a three-division champion by moving up to the middleweight division. Bisping, speaking on his podcast and reported by outlets like MMA Sucka and Heavy.com, expressed his belief that Makhachev has earned the opportunity to challenge for a third belt at 185 pounds. Bisping cited Alex Pereira's recent move to heavyweight as a precedent for such a high-profile opportunity, stating, “Then moving up to 185 and trying to become the triple champ, I like the sound of that. And if anyone deserves it, it is Islam Makhachev”. This potential move, Bisping suggested, would follow Makhachev successfully defending his welterweight title against the winner of the upcoming interim bout between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales.
Makhachev's Dominant Run
Islam Makhachev, currently ranked as the Men's Pound-for-Pound Champion and the Welterweight champion, boasts an impressive UFC record of 18-1-0. His last fight in August 2026 at UFC 330 saw him defeat Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision in a welterweight contest, where he was favored by the pre-fight market at 75% to win. This victory extended his UFC win streak to 17, building on a streak of 16 wins before that fight. Prior to this, in November 2025, Makhachev secured another unanimous decision victory over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, also in the welterweight division. His path to becoming a two-division champion included a submission win via D'Arce Choke against Renato Moicano in the first round at UFC 311 in January 2025, which marked a lightweight title defense. Makhachev, who was 34 years old at his last fight, stands 5' 10" tall with a 70" reach and fights from a Southpaw stance. His grappling prowess is evident in his 2.1 takedowns per fight at 54% accuracy and a strong 77% takedown defense.
By the numbers
| Fighter | UFC record | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Islam Makhachev | 18-1-0 | Welterweight champion |
UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.
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