MMA is more than just a sport of blood, bruises, and battles inside the cage. At its heart, it’s about camaraderie, discipline, the bonds forged during grueling sparring sessions, and the rich stories that unfold beyond the spotlight. Some of these tales become legendary, passed down in gym lore. Others quietly fade into the background, buried in time. One such enduring narrative stems from the halls of the renowned American Kickboxing Academy (AKA)—a place that has long been associated with greatness.

At the center of many of these stories are Khabib Nurmagomedov and his formidable team of Dagestani fighters. Under the guidance of coach Javier Mendez, AKA became a second home for fighters from across the globe, and a sacred ground for Dagestani athletes sharpening their craft. Within those walls, Javier Mendez molded the talents of ‘The Eagle’ and Islam Makhachev. Through intense grind sessions and elite-level mentorship, both men evolved into dominant forces in MMA, etched into history as two of the finest mixed martial artists ever produced.

Among the countless stories from their time at AKA, a vivid memory recently resurfaced through former UFC fighter Josh Thomson. A veteran of the gym himself, Thomson shared a powerful anecdote during an episode of his Weighing In podcast, recalling how even NCAA elites struggled against the relentless pressure of ‘The Eagle’ and Makhachev.

“Those guys are not in the sport anymore now. So, I know how good they were when they were competing against 170-pounders. You know, I know their ability to take people down. And I said this: Khabib was able to take down Ed Ruth multiple times. Islam was able to take down Ed Ruth multiple times—three-time national champ out of Penn State, like a phenomenal wrestler—and was able to take him down.”

Thomson’s story doesn’t just highlight their dominance—it sheds light on the stylistic nuances that set them apart. Despite coming from the same system, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev each brought their own flair to the mat, especially in the way they approached wrestling.

“There’s that Sambo wrestling, which is more like judo, which is what Islam uses—not as much as Khabib did. Khabib would use more of the double leg, single leg—that kind of thing—and he was really good at turning the corner. Islam is more of a, ‘I’ll shoot the single but then try to work my way up to the body.’”

Thomson’s insight highlights the stylistic contrast between two of MMA’s most dominant Dagestani fighters. Khabib Nurmagomedov built his legendary 29-0 record through suffocating, wrestling-heavy pressure that overwhelmed opponents. Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev, Khabib’s protégé and close friend, has developed a more balanced and technically refined approach, blending grappling with striking and cage control.

Still, the question remains—who’s the superior fighter? Is it the relentless force of Khabib Nurmagomedov or the calculated evolution of Islam Makhachev? Let’s explore what the MMA world is saying.

Who is better, Khabib Nurmagomedov or Islam Makhachev?

While many consider former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev the more complete fighter—equally dangerous on the feet and on the ground—not everyone agrees. And one man who has faced both Dagestani greats in battle holds a different perspective.

The former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has been in the cage with both. In 2019, at UFC 242, Khabib Nurmagomedov faced Poirier, submitting him via rear-naked choke in the third round. Fast forward to 2024, and Poirier found himself across the Octagon from ‘The Eagle’s protégé, Islam Makhachev, at UFC 302. This time, things played out differently. Poirier gave Makhachev a far tougher test on the feet, holding his own through five hard rounds. Though the 33-year-old eventually secured a D’Arce choke in the final frame, the Louisiana native left his mark—literally—by opening a deep cut on Makhachev’s forehead, a rare sight in the champion’s career.

Now approaching the twilight of his fighting days, Dustin Poirier recently weighed in on the long-running debate: Who’s the better fighter—Khabib Nurmagomedov or Islam Makhachev? Speaking with The Schmo, ‘The Diamond’ offered his honest assessment:

“Similar styles with the foot trips and the sweeps against the fence. They have a different style of wrestling, but I felt like Khabib was a lot tighter with his movements. I was able to get away from Islam a little bit more and stop his shots, but with Khabib, it was just—I couldn’t get away.”

How do you view the legacies of Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov in MMA? Can the new wave of talent from ‘The Eagle’s’ camp—like Usman and Umar Nurmagomedov—rise above and carve out an even greater legacy? Share your thoughts in the comments.