(Video) When Makhachev won sambo worlds overpowering his opponent

UFC lightweight contender, Makhachev is known for his suffocating grappling game in MMA. Most people like him due to his long winning streak in the UFC, he has an MMA record consisting of 22 wins and 1 knock out loss.

Makhachev’s title shot is a hotly contested topic. Makhachev is scheduled to face Charles Oliveira despite not facing any high level opposition from the most stacked division in the UFC. While the quality of Makhachev’s opponents is debatable – his grappling is solid.

Makhachev comes from the Sambo school of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father of Hall of famer Khabib.

Sambo is a combat and martial arts sport originated in the SSSR by the Soviet Red Army in 1920 to improve their combative skills.

The sport integrates diverse styles of wrestling and different striking systems while sharing many similarities with judo and jujitsu.

Sambo was underutilized in the UFC cage until Khabib Nurmagomedov rose to stardom.

His father, Abdulmanap, had a long list of students who are making waves in the world of MMA, including Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov, Abu Bakar Nurmagomedov, and Islam Mamedov.

Abdulmanap coached the national team of the republic of Dagestan.

Sadly, Abdulmanap died due to a Covid-19 infection in 2020 which prompted his star pupil, Khabib, to retire and continue his legacy coaching Makhachev and others.

“They tap when when they grapple with Islam. I see 88 kilo 99 kilo 77 kilo – I don’t want to say name but they tap – ADCC world champion, you know, and and it’s gonna be big dream versus Charles Oliveira in Brazil, finish them on the ground. “

“Take this belt and go home. I’m okay if they I hear like Charles Oliveira coaches say, Okay, come to Brazil. Fine, no problem, send us location. “

Prior to his UFC tenure, Makhachev was once a Sambo world champion when he defeated Benishev Valentin of Bulgaria to claim the 2016 Combat Sambo World Championship in the 74 kg category.

Benishev appeared to have injured his rotator cuff during a scramble in the first round, forcing him unable to keep competing, giving Islam Makachev the victory. It was the first significant achievement in his career but surely not the last.