UFC 330: Makhachev’s GOAT case rests on dominance at 170

Islam Makhachev’s next chapter is at 170 pounds, where dominance would strengthen his claim to be the greatest fighter in UFC history. He has already made four successful lightweight title defences and surpassed Anderson Silva’s record for consecutive UFC wins.

Makhachev added to that case by passing the Ian Machado Garry test at UFC 330. The Irish contender brought a composed, analytical approach into the fight, but did not produce the finishing threat needed to force Makhachev away from his preferred methods.

His lightweight reign was highly successful, although the quality and circumstances of those defences remain part of the GOAT debate. Two came against Alexander Volkanovski, who is the current featherweight champion, while Dustin Poirier was the only opponent viewed as a clear, established 155-pound title challenger. Renato Moicano accepted the fourth defence on short notice and was not considered fully prepared for that level.

The move to welterweight removes some of those questions while creating a more demanding physical challenge. Makhachev is a large lightweight but a mid-sized welterweight, meaning future opponents are expected to be bigger, stronger and more powerful than the fighters he regularly faced at 155 pounds.

Carlos Prates and Michael Morales are among the threats waiting ahead. Prates is ranked first in the Meta UFC Rankings and brings considerable finishing ability, while Morales combines physical advantages with a fearless style. Uros Medic and Yaroslav Amosov are also pushing to enter the title picture.

That group gives Makhachev a route to settle the argument through his work at 170. Wins over Prates, Morales, Medic and Amosov would make his claim difficult to dispute, while further success against the division’s strongest challengers would separate him from other leading candidates, including Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre, Demetrious Johnson and Khabib Nurmagomedov.