Islam Makhachev will come into UFC 302 not only looking for his third consecutive title defense and a chance to extend his winning streak to 14 fights, but he’ll also be looking to continue the legacy of his team and coaches, specifically, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Makhachev came up under Nurmagomedov and when he decided to retire his career as the undefeated lightweight champion, it appeared only a matter of time until Makhachev was thrown into the spotlight. He not only answered the call to earn a title shot and win it, but has shown continued dominance throughout his title reign, just like his coach once did.
Many conversations coming into the main event are surrounding Dustin Poirier, his legacy, and the unknown status of his future. A fighter who has enamored the crowd with electric performances and seemingly defied the odds in every way, but has yet to win the undisputed gold. A former interim lightweight champion, Poirier came up short against Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in 2019, but has climbed his way back to another title fight, this time against his former opponent’s pupil.
After his first two title defenses came against former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, Makhachev is now at a place where the top lightweight contenders will be sent his way, and he’s got to be able to do what his coach did, defeat all opposition sent his way. No matter what the future holds for Dustin Poirier, he has grown immensely since his last title opportunity, and a chance to take out Makhachev while securing the undisputed world title certainly is driving the title challenger.
Getting his first two title defenses in an all-time classic fight against Volkanovski and then a statement first-round finish set the tone for Islam Makhachev as a champion, but UFC 302 presents the next chapter for the lightweight champion.
He’ll face Poirier and if he wins, the challengers at the top of the division will all be chomping at the bit for their chance to dethrone him. It’s a familiar situation that Nurmagomedov went through once he became champion, working his way up to the title, then holding onto it with repeated dominance.
There is a path set for Makhachev not only to continue his title reign, but to continue the legacy of his coach Nurmagomedov while creating his own legacy along the way. There’s a strong lineage set by the retired champion that the current champion can continue to shine bright for.
Competition will only get tougher from this point forward, Makhachev knows that, his coaches know that, and if he does what his mentor did, it could lead to an unmatched legacy between coach and fighter.
