Nate Diaz is not convinced that Islam Makhachev has done enough to be considered the pound-for-pound best in the world.
Under Khabib Nurmagomedov’s guidance, Makhachev has put together an impressive run since joining the UFC back in 2015, winning 17 of his 18 fights to date.
He has also claimed and defended the lightweight title four times – more than anyone else in the history of the promotion – over his ten years at the top.
In a dominant performance at UFC 322 last weekend, Makhachev successfully moved up a weight class to easily defeat Jack Della Maddalena. This victory earned him a second championship belt, which puts him in elite company in UFC history.
Why Nate Diaz does not think Islam Makhachev should be P4P #1
Makhachev was reinstated as the pound-for-pound number one last Tuesday, and most fans feel he has done enough to take that spot back from Ilia Topuria.
But Diaz does not see it that way, suggesting someone else still deserves the top spot.
When asked who should hold the current pound-for-pound number one spot, Diaz replied: “Jon Jones, for sure.
“People get it twisted, they just throw s— out like that.”
He continued: “[Makhachev] has been here for like two minutes, and he ain’t beat nobody that’s crazy. The best lightweight ever was B.J. Penn. So, when we get s— like that, and you got whatever Islam did, and it’s like that, don’t even match. It’s not that he can’t be or won’t be, but you’re just gonna throw GOAT at the motherf—er when he just showed up on the scene?
“They think I’m f—ing hating. That’s because we’ve got our differences…. There is s— I’ve seen that I’ll remember forever. That’s GOAT s—. I ain’t seen nothing from them mother—ers. I can’t even remember anything but getting bored in all them fools’ last fights.
“That name shouldn’t even be thrown at those guys.
“I think [Topuria] is more of a complete fighter than [Islam].”
Nate Diaz draws backlash over Islam Makhachev comments
A video of Diaz’s remarks about Makhachev has been widely shared on social media.
Fans were quick to point out in the comments that the Dagestani’s UFC accomplishments have already surpassed those of B.J. Penn.
“I truly believe Nate still thinks it’s 2017,” one fan posted, while another simply added: “Punch drunk.”
Someone else commented: “THE GOAT OF LOSSES HAS SPOKEN.”
Another reply read: “10 years = 2 minutes Diaz math ftw.”
“Holy CTE, this is what happens when your fighting style is to get hit in the head as many times as possible to tire people out,” wrote a fifth fan.
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