Has Islam Makhachev arrived in the GOAT conversation?
The former lightweight king further enhanced his legacy on the biggest stage in martial arts at Saturday’s UFC 322 pay-per-view, where his combat sports trophy collection grew.
In the main event at Madison Square Garden, Makhachev dominated Jack Della Maddalena to become the new UFC welterweight champion.
The result saw the Dagestani become the eleventh fighter to achieve two-division glory in the UFC, and it left one other legend on that list pondering whether Makhachev has done enough to become a leading candidate for GOAT status.
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Henry Cejudo poses the question about where Islam Makhachev stands in the UFC GOAT debate
Some have been critical of the control-heavy approach that netted the former lightweight champ his second divisional title. Ilia Topuria described Makhachev as “boring” in his harsh reaction to the main event on November 15.
But ‘El Matador’ appears to be in the minority, with most having nothing but praise for the Russian standout after he continued to add accolade after accolade to his MMA résumé.
Among those giving Makhachev his flowers post-fight was Henry Cejudo, who became the seventh to win two UFC titles and fourth to hold both simultaneously.
In addition to a post branding Makhachev the deserving pound-for-pound No. 1, ‘Triple C’ posed an intriguing question regarding where the Dagestani stands among the promotion’s all-time greats.
“Is Islam Makhachev a top 3 UFC fighter of all-time?”
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Fans can’t agree on Islam Makhachev’s GOAT ranking after UFC 322
A number of fans quickly filled the comments section with their answers to Cejudo’s query.
Plenty pushed back on the suggestion that Makhachev is already in the top three, in part down to the manner of his victory over Della Maddalena at UFC 322.
“Not yet.”
“Not even top five lol.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Not even close. Total snoozefest of a fight.”
“For laying on someone and not engaging? He is not even top 10 or 20. These guys who do this are not real fighters. They are frauds.”
“Top BORING fighter of all time for sure.”
“The résumé isn’t that great. I mean, it’s good, but it’s not ‘top three of all time’ level. His last lightweight defenses were Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight, a short-notice Moicano, and featherweight Volk twice. He’s a great fighter, but he’s not in that conversation.”
The résumé isn’t that great. I mean, it’s good, but it’s not “top three of all time” level. His last lightweight defenses were Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight, a short-notice Moicano, and featherweight Volk twice.
He’s a great fighter, but he’s not in that conversation.…
— The Right Hook (@CombatConverse) November 16, 2025
Others, though, replied more positively.
“Top 1.”
“Maybe another fight and (then) yes.”
“Yes, no doubt. Only one loss and has beat a lot of good fighters.”
“No, he just became the GOAT.”
“Not yet but he’s heading that way.”
“Yep…Anderson Silva, GSP, Islam.”
“Easily.”