Islam Makhachev expressed his frustration at the swift ascent of Michael Chandler within the UFC. On joining its ranks, Chandler, an ex-champion from Bellator, needed only a single victory to vie for the vacant lightweight title. His defining moment transpired in January 2021 when he conquered Dan Hooker through a knockout.
A mere four months later, Chandler engaged in combat with Charles Oliveira for the belt. Unfortunately, he suffered a knockout defeat at the high-profile UFC 262. Unlike Chandler with an MMA record of 23-9 and a UFC record of 2-4, Makhachev, the current reigning lightweight champion with an MMA scorecard of 26-1 and a UFC standing of 15-1, had a considerably more arduous journey to his first title opportunity.
Makhachev shared the harsh realities of his path, explaining he had to celebrate victory in 10 successive bouts before earning his first shot at the title. In a conversation with Demetrious Johnson about his arduous journey to UFC championship, Makhachev reflected upon the relentless persistence it took him to succeed.
“The 10-fight winning sequence, indeed, was not an easy feat,” Makhachev confessed. Unveiling his aspirations and dedicated spirit, he added, “Before getting the belt, I openly declared that I was ready to grab my chance for the title shot, having worked hard and given my all.”
He did not shy away from conceding that charisma and promotional skills might have influenced a fighter’s trajectory, possibly explaining his longer journey to the gold. Witnessing Chandler’s swift title shot was disconcerting to him, as it seemed to contrast strongly with his own prolonged experience in the ring.
Makhachev admitted candidly about the difficulties he faced in his career. He confessed, “Perhaps, my English proficiency lacked and my promotional skills were unimpressive. Complications have been a part of my journey, particularly when seeking a challenge against a top-tier competitor. It seemed as if no one was interested in facing me at that time.”
The fighter then referenced the struggles of his fellow compatriot, Khabib Nurmagomedov, indicating that there are no shortcuts in their journey to the top. “Even for Khabib, there was no easy path,” added Makhachev. “The career of a fighter like me or Khabib doesn’t include shortcuts; it’s a grappling journey.”
While expressing his disdain, he echoed, “A fighter like Michael Chandler, directly coming from Bellator, had one victorious fight against Dan Hooker, and suddenly he was vying for the title. This doesn’t match with my journey. The fact that some fighter can leap ahead and compete for the belt before me, despite my years of hard work, is truly disheartening.”
Despite the criticisms and hurdles, Makhachev refused to back down. His perseverance was rewarded when he topped the UFC as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. Makhachev didn’t let his lack of argumentative skills or language proficiency dampen his spirits or compromise his focus on training, proving that resilience can pay off in the end.
When discussing his hard-fought journey, Makhachev mused, “Yes, the road was long and strenuous. I endured years of intense fights and confrontations. It viewed painfully unfair when someone arrived, defeated a non-top tier contender, and swiftly leapt to the position that I was striving for years.”
However, the lengthy quest proved beneficial for Makhachev, as it augmented his skills and perseverance, catapulting him to a coveted spot as UFC’s top fighter right now. Despite the challenging journey, he maintained that the reward was well worth the adversity he faced in his path to the top.
Presently, Makhachev has his sights set on setting a remarkable UFC record. The reigning champion is all set to defend his lightweight title for the fourth time – a record in itself – when he faces Arman Tsarukyan in the high-profile main event of UFC 311 on January 18.
His ongoing fortitude reinforces his golden status in the UFC world. Despite the quicker rise of other fighters, his longer journey to the top has delivered a more seasoned, skilled, stronger, and arguably wiser athlete.
From this, younger fighters can learn that quick success is not always meaningful. Slow and steady growth like Makhachev’s can lead to a stronger, more stable career with an impressive record that stands the test of time.
Makhachev’s story serves as a sharp reminder that the course of one’s journey can greatly determine the extent of their achievement. His persistence in the face of adversity truly epitomizes the spirit of a committed fighter. He backed his words with relentless action, always prepared to take up the sledgehammer and break another wall.
In the grand scheme, Islam Makhachev’s battle-tested journey to the top certainly holds more weight than a quick rise to fame. There is no doubt that his story will be a source of inspiration for many upcoming fighters. He has shown that true champions are those who withstand the trials of fire and remain standing at the end.