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Former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely considered to be the greatest lightweight champion in the history of the UFC.
In there is one fighter that UFC President Dana White believes can surpass Nurmagomedov’s accomplishments, it is current UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev.
“(If) he keeps doing what he’s doing – you’ve just got to keep grinding and knocking them down one by one – and it eventually happens,” White said at the UFC 294 post-fight press conference (transcript via Matt Erickson & Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie). “The truth is, when you look at Khabib – and nothing against Khabib; Khabib came in and won the title and defended – but (Makhachev) could go on a defense run that absolutely blows everybody away that ever held the belt in that division.”
Makhachev last competed in the main event of UFC 294, defeating UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski by first round knockout.
White even believes that Makhachev has what it takes to become a two division UFC champion in the future.
“I guess he’s talented enough (to win two belts),” White said. “I don’t see that happening any time soon. He’s still got some guys to fight (at lightweight). But if he defends the belt for another year and wanted to move up, why not?”
