Georges St-Pierre, the legendary Canadian mixed martial artist, has high praise for Dagestani-Russian fighter Islam Makhachev, labeling him the pound-for-pound best in the sport. St-Pierre’s opinion comes on the heels of Makhachev’s impressive performance against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Vegas 73.
In a recent interview, St-Pierre expressed his admiration for Makhachev, stating, “I think right now, he’s the best pound-for-pound right now because of his last few performances. Just amazing.” He praised Makhachev’s resilient display against Dustin Poirier, saying, “An amazing showcase of heart too because he had a bad cut on his forehead, and Poirier gave him a tough time. Pushed the pace to the edge, and I think that fight is going to make Makhachev even better because these are the fights that make you grow.”
St-Pierre believes Makhachev has the potential to become one of the all-time greats, echoing sentiments that many fans and analysts share. “Is he going to be a legend, Makhachev? Is he going to be one of the greats? Yeah, I think he’s already starting to get to that status right now because beating Wolkanowski and his last few performances are amazing.”
Makhachev’s impressive record speaks for itself, with 22 wins and only one loss. His recent victories over top contenders, including Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker, have propelled him up the lightweight rankings. With his well-rounded skillset, formidable grappling abilities, and striking power, Makhachev is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the UFC.
St-Pierre’s endorsement carries significant weight, given his own storied career. A two-time UFC Welterweight Champion and UFC Middleweight Champion, St-Pierre has faced some of the toughest opponents in the sport, including Michael Bisping, Matt Serra, and Johny Hendricks.
While it’s uncertain whether Makhachev can fill the shoes of a champion like St-Pierre, his recent performances suggest he has the potential to become a legend in his own right. As St-Pierre so eloquently put it, “I think that fight [against Poirier] is going to make Makhachev even better because these are the fights that make you grow.”
With his next bout likely to be against a top contender, Makhachev will have the opportunity to continue his impressive run and solidify his position as one of the pound-for-pound best in the sport.
