Former UFC champion: 'Islam Makhachev surpassed Khabib Nurmagomedov'

Has Islam Makhachev surpassed his coach Khabib Nurmagomedov's accomplishments in the lightweight division? Former UFC featherweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling believes he has. 

"Islam is one of the greatest lightweights of all time, in my opinion. I think he surpasses Khabib just based on how active he's been," Sterling said on his YouTube channel. "In terms of Khabib's run, I think Khabib had a total of 13 or 14 fights. I think Islam is already past that if I'm not mistaken."

Nurmagomedov (29-0) retired following his UFC 254 win over Justin Gaethje in October 2020. He fought 13 times inside the octagon and successfully defended the 155-pound championship three times.

Makhachev (27-1) has 17 octagon appearances under his belt and has the most lightweight title defenses in the promotion's history with four, one more than Nurmagomedov. 

"He (Nurmagomedov) had a great run. I'm just talking the wins, the consecutive wins as a champion. I think Islam is up there. In my opinion, he surpassed him because of all the wins of the credible guys he's beaten to get to the belt and then the guys he's beaten for the belt."

Makhachev vacated the 155-pound championship to move up to the welterweight division and make a run at a second UFC title. He's expected to face newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena later this year.