Israel Adesanya’s trainer Eugene Bareman is skeptical about Islam Makhachev getting a title shot. The founder of City Kickboxing claimed that Makhachev doesn’t have a “crowd-pleasing” style.
Islam Makhachev is potentially next in line to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight belt. After defeating Justin Gaethje, Oliveira was demoted to title contender thanks to scale miscalibration.
UFC still hasn’t confirmed who they want to face Oliveira but he confirmed that he’s been given a name.
Many fans believe Islam Makhachev is the perfect athlete to get the next shot. His last bout was against Bobby Green in February. After defeating Green, Makhachev was promised a title shot. However, due to a failure to face Rafael Dos Anjos on late notice – he was demoted.
UFC president Dana White had since repeatedly insisted Makhachev fight Beneil Dariush instead.
Eugene Bareman believes there are many factors that prevent Islam Makhachev from getting a title shot. During a recent interview with Submission Radio, the 42-year-old said Makhachev can’t satisfy the audience with his fighting style.
“Should Islam be the next person that challenges for the title? You know, he probably does deserve it, but whether he’s getting that title shot is another thing. It’s another question, you know. ”
“Like, the UFC is a business and it’s a business of making fans sell tickets to watch fights, and Islam doesn’t have the most crowd-pleasing style. So his road to the title is just to keep winning and winning and winning and eventually you just can’t deny him.”
Islam Makhachev possesses a great skillset in Sambo, a martial art that originates from Russia. It’s a combination of grappling and striking martial arts. Bareman believes Sambo is not the best style to please the UFC audience. Many fans also find it quite boring to watch Makhachev who mainly uses grappling to subdue opponents.
Islam Makhachev is currently on a 10 win streak. The 30-year-old has lost only once in the UFC. He has a professional MMA record consisting of 22 wins and 1 loss, with 10 victories via submission.