Islam Makhachev Labels Himself ‘Best Fighter in the World’ After UFC 284 Win

The UFC 284 main event was billed as a battle of the sport’s pound-for-pound best, and it more than lived up to the hype.

After five competitive rounds, Islam Makhachev emerged with a hard-fought unanimous decision triumph over 145-pound champ Alexander Volkanovski to retain his lightweight crown. Perhaps more importantly, the Dagestan native believes he can rightfully assume his place as the No. 1 fighter in all of MMA.

“Doesn’t matter how I won today. Now, I’m not just the champion, I’m the best fighter in the world,” Makhachev said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “I’m very happy. Now people are going to call me not just champ, but best fighter in the world. This is my dream. It doesn’t matter how I won. I’m very happy. … Now, I’m the best fighter and champion.

While many expected Makhachev to impose his will on Volkanovski due to his size advantage, that was never the case. Volkanovski held his own in all aspects of the fight, and more than a few observers felt that the Aussie deserved the nod on the scorecards. When speaking to media, Volkanovski claimed that Makhachev acknowledged that he deserved to win the fight in the aftermath, but the lightweight champ refuted that statement.

“I didn’t say that,” Makhachev said. “I know in my mind, when the fight was finished, I know minimum I won three rounds. I didn’t say I lost nothing.”

Volkanovski was by far the most difficult challenge for Makhachev during a 12-fight winning streak in which he has largely overwhelmed the majority of his opposition. That was exactly what he was looking for when he called out the City Kickboxing representative after claiming the lightweight title at UFC 280 last year.

“It was a hard fight with Volkanovski because of many things,” Makhachev said. “I come from another country, more than 13,000 kilometers from my country, I come with my team, and the time is changed, and we come to the arena early morning, many things. But I don’t prepare myself for easy fights.

“We fight not for the belt, but for who is going to be the best fighter in the world. That’s why it was a hard fight.”

Makhachev’s spot in the pound-for-pound rankings could be tenuous, not only because of a contentious win over Volkanovski, but because Jon Jones — a former pound-for-pound No. 1 — is set to return at UFC 285. If Jones defeats Ciryl Gane to claim the vacant heavyweight throne, there’s a solid case that he regains that status he once held. Makhachev doesn’t necessarily agree.

“Jon Jones is a great fighter,” Makhachev said. “He is the best, but last time he won a split decision, he always has a hard fight. I don’t know, I don’t think after this fight he’s going to be the best, because why am I the best right now? Because I beat the best fighter in the world. That’s why I think I deserve this more and if somebody wants to be the best, I am ready.”