UFC boss Dana White reckons Islam Makhachev would already own the GOAT crown were it not for that smallest of blemishes on his incredible fight record — a loss to Brazilian Adriano Martins way back in 2015.
Yet as for how long it is now until even that one ‘L’ no longer matters?
Undeniably, this is suddenly one of the biggest talking points anywhere in MMA after Makhachev went and earned his 17th straight Octagon win at UFC 330 on Sunday – defending welterweight gold against hyped Irishman Ian Machado Garry.
Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Apart from now having defended UFC titles in two divisions, or going 11 years without loss, the Dagestani superstar has also put himself on, officially, the longest winning streak in UFC history.
So again, what more must Makhachev do to take the GOAT crown from a shortlist of contenders topped by Jon Jones, Georges St Pierre, even Makhachev’s great mate and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov?
In recent years, other fighters to have entered this discussion include Demetrious Johnson, Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski and, of course, Brazilian great Anderson Silva, whose record streak was bested on Sunday.
Asked about all this post fight, White said of Makhachev’s claims to UFC GOAT status: “If he didn’t have that one loss on his record, it would almost be a no-brainer.
“This kid wants to fight all the time, stays active … [so] I think what you do is, you just let this guy’s career play out. When Islam’s career is starting to wrap up, the more fights he keeps winning and the records he keeps breaking, it’ll all speak for itself.”
Here is the shortlist of GOAT contenders:
Apart from effectively going undefeated in the sport, or winning titles in two divisions, this polarising American superstar has also maintained the rage throughout what is nearing on three generations of opponents. Sure, the fighter dubbed Bone’s has also popped hot. And more recently, been accused of ducking Francis Ngannou and Tom Aspinall, too. But this is an incredible fighter, and athlete, who effectively wins everywhere. Of course, there are plenty of MMA fans who baulk at giving the GOAT crown to a guy who was has over the years, been accused of all sorts of misdemeanours. But the ‘G’ ain’t for goodest. It’s greatest. And Jones is absolutely in the conversation for that.
Among the most dominant wrestlers in MMA history, this Canadian megastar was an undeniable baby face of the sport who not only went and cleared out the UFC welterweight division, but did it against names like Matt Hughes, BJ Penn and Nick Diaz. Adding to his legacy, GSP also eventually returned to the sport after a hiatus and won himself the UFC middleweight title against Michael Bisping, before then abruptly retiring. Of course, St Pierre’s career isn’t perfect, having lost to both Matt Hughes and Matt Serra, the latter of which is considered the greatest upset in UFC history. Which in its own way becomes yet another nod to the greatness of GSP, who then went and won said gold strap back again.
The Dagestani bogeyman has entered almost mythical realms thanks to a career that saw him go undefeated through 29 fights, defeat Conor McGregor and, at one point in his youth, wrestle a bear. On the ground, Khabib was without peer. Importantly, he has also inspired a new generation of bearded warriors to roll down and out of those Caucasus Mountains like a marauding, Octagon army. The only knock on this guy’s claims for GOAT status are the strength of his record and the fact he boasts only three title defences. Unlike others on this list, Khabib didn’t leave the sport with his entire division rendered a wasteland.
One of the greatest, and most entertaining, strikers in MMA history, ‘The Spider’ went seven years without loss. Or put another way, 16 straight fights. Yet even better was the incredible run of highlight reel moves, and finishes, that came to epitomize one of the truly great UFC careers. Of course, those arguing against him being GOAT will point to those seven career losses. However, the biggest chunk of those came at the end – and after suffering a gruesome leg injury in what became his second upset title loss against Chris Weidman. Also popped hot after beating Nick Diaz, which saw his initial win overturned to a no contest.
Of course, there’s no chance we were doing a GOAT challenger list without including that Warilla Gorillas prop whose highest honour, for a time, was winning himself a Mick Cronin medal. Currently enjoying his second UFC featherweight reign, ‘Volk’ has also continually proved himself willing to dive headlong into the sport’s greatest challenges – which includes once challenging Makhachev up a weight class, and on 11 days noticed. Despite losing that fight by KO, and then another to Ilia Topuria, Australia’s fighting pride remains one of the smartest, gutsiest and well rounded fighters to ever step foot inside a cage.
