Paul Felder explains why Islam Makhachev's striking is the most underrated aspect of his fighting skillset - "It all started with his hands"
Paul Felder believes Islam Makhachev doesn't get enough credit for his stand-up game. Makhachev recently displayed some serious striking skills in his UFC 280 lightweight championship win over Charles Oliveira.
The Dagestani standout looked impressive right from the get-go, hurting 'do Bronx' with the first combination he threw. Makhachev went on to drop Oliveira in the second round and eventually locked in an arm-triangle choke which secured the finish.
WHAT A WAY TO SECURE HIS LEGACY!!!!🏆
@MakhachevMMA submits Oliveira to become the NEW UFC LIGHTWEIGHT KING! #UFC280 #AndNew https://t.co/JKcc7HNlve
Paul Felder noted that Islam Makhachev's hands initiated the fight-ending sequence. The former UFC lightweight hopes that fans will give due credit to Makhachev's stand-up skillset after his UFC 280 showing. The 38-year-old said in a UFC 280 reaction video:
"This is a guy you always say, 'Oh well, his kickboxing, oh well he's not quite there.' He hurt Oliveira a few times. Which ended the exchange. He ended knocking him down, ended up getting on top, passing to that arm-triangle and getting that submission. But it all started with his hands which I think he just doesn't get enough credit and hopefully people will start recognizing that more."
Catch Paul Felder's comments (3:45) below:
Islam Makhachev's coach claims Beneil Dariush would get a title shot if MMA is a "true sport"
Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski cut an in-ring promo for their next lightweight title fight in the immediate aftermath of Makhachev's UFC 280 win over Charles Oliveira. With Dana White agreeing that Volkanovski might be the next title contender, Beneil Dariush's future looks uncertain.
Dariush, who earned a unanimous decision win over a surging Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280, was once slated to meet Islam Makhachev earlier this year, but it didn't come to fruition. Makhachev's coach Javier Mendez still considers Dariush more deserving of the next title shot than Volkanovski.
However, Mendez observed that since MMA is an "entertainment sport" and not a "true sport", Volkanovski is likely to get the shot as per popular demand. The AKA head coach told Submission Radio:
“Who is actually in my opinion more deserving from a true professional sport-sport? But this is not a true sport, this is an entertainment sport. So, from a true sport, Dariush deserves it. He 100 percent deserves the next shot. But, because this is an entertainment sport, the fans want to see Alex and Islam go for it. Let’s see if the pound-for-pound king can take that lightweight title."
Catch Javier Mendez's comments (14:45) below: