Islam Makhachev has made himself much more 'likeable' over UFC 284 media presence, says Aljamain Sterling
Islam Makhachev's long wait for a title shot ended at UFC 280 last year against Charles Oliveira. The Dagestani fighter beat 'Do Bronx' to be crowned the new king of lightweights. The lightweight champion has since challenged featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski for the no. 1 pound-for-pound spot and is set to face him at UFC 284.
Makhachev's newfound place in the spotlight as the divisional champion and the No.2 ranked pound-for-pound men's fighter has fleshed out his personality and revealed more of it to fans. Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling echoed the same sentiments on Twitter ahead of Makhachev's third straight headlining act in a UFC event.
Makhachev's last two fights, against Bobby Green and Charles Oliveira, were contested in the main event, the same as his upcoming UFC 284 bout.
Sterling quoted a tweet by UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney talking about Islam Makhachev's humor and likeability.
McKinney wrote:
"Islam is low key funny af and very likeable"
Sterling quoted him and said:
"He’s definitely a funny guy. I’m glad he’s showing that side of him more"
Check out Terrance McKinney's tweet about the lightweight champion below:
Islam is low key funny af and very likeable
Check out the bantamweight champion's tweet below:
He’s definitely a funny guy. I’m glad he’s showing that side of him more twitter.com/twrecks155/sta…
Fans react to Terrance McKinney's comments on Islam Makhachev's likeability
Fans seemed to agree with Terrance McKinney's comments about Islam Makhachev on Twitter. One fan was quick to compare Makhachev to his teammate and longtime friend, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
"So was khabib, I die everytime at the video of him with sunglass"
@twrecks155 So was khabib, I die everytime at the video of him with sunglasses
"He is... More than Khabib"
@twrecks155 He is... More than Khabib
Others also made interesting observations about the Dagestani contingent's stoic yet mellow personality.
"He really is. I don’t think his humor gets enough credit. And that little smile he has when he opens his mouth looking all confused and baffled. He’s great. The Dagestani’s all seem to have great hidden humor behind that super stoic persona."
@twrecks155 He really is. I don’t think his humor gets enough credit. And that little smile he has when he opens his mouth looking all confused and baffled. He’s great. The Dagestani’s all seem to have great hidden humor behind that super stoic persona.
"I wonder what it is about these guys who are stoic and dry on the way up but once they get close or reach the belt their personality comes out. Could be cultural or just that they don’t seek the spotlight but when it rains it pours."
@twrecks155 I wonder what it is about these guys who are stoic and dry on the way up but once they get close or reach the belt their personality comes out. Could be cultural or just that they don’t seek the spotlight but when it rains it pours.
Fans also speculated about the extent of their humor that is lost in translation and the unwitting nature of their comments.
"Rs, imagine how much funnier he is in his language."
@twrecks155 Rs, image how much funnier he is in his language.