In MMA, a fighter needs well-rounded skills—strong striking and solid grappling—to defend against takedowns and stay competitive. When it comes to ground game and wrestling, Dagestani fighters have dominated like no other, with Islam Makhachev being a prime example. Since the sport is all about showcasing skills, Team Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager flexed Makhachev’s dominance by listing the top-tier UFC stars with black belts that he has beaten.
Manager Ali Abdelaziz took to X to hype up Islam Makhachev’s dominance, listing all the black belts he’s made tap. The lineup includes Renato Moicano, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, Thiago Moisés, and Kajan Johnson—plus Dan Hooker, who’s a brown belt. It’s a flex that proves Makhachev’s grappling isn’t just elite—it’s next-level. When even decorated black belts can’t survive, you know the Dagestani wrestling game is built differently.
This is how many black belt @MAKHACHEVMMA make them tap
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) February 9, 2025
1- Renato Moicano
2- Dustin Poirier
3- Charles Oliveira
4- Thiago Moisés
5- Kajan Johnson
6-Dan hooker brown belt
Makhachev isn’t just a submission wizard—his knockout power is just as dangerous. He’s put away top names like Alexander Volkanovski, showing he’s a complete fighter. Whether it’s grappling or striking, he dominates every aspect of the game. That’s exactly why he holds the UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound spot. There’s no debate—Makhachev is proving it every time he steps in the cage.
Michael Bisping Says ‘El Matador’ Could Overcome Size Gap To Upset Islam Makhachev
Ilia Topuria has vowed to take down the lightweight champ, and UFC veteran Bisping thinks it might actually happen. On Submission Radio, Bisping called the matchup intriguing but pointed out Topuria’s size disadvantage. In his view, when two elite fighters clash, the bigger guy usually wins. However, he didn’t count El Matador out, praising his knockout power—especially his win over Max Holloway—and claiming Topuria’s wrestling might be even sharper than his striking.
A showdown between Topuria and Makhachev would be a must-watch, with both fighters looking unstoppable right now. This fight could settle the debate on who truly stands as the best of this era.
