Georges St-Pierre knows what it takes to be a dominant champion and he likes what he’s seen from Islam Makhachev.
If there’s one thing “GSP” and Makhachev have in common—besides the welterweight champion status Makhachev claimed at UFC 322—it’s their tactical game plans that have resulted in countless victories and also the occasional criticism for not always delivering a dramatic finish.
Makhachev needed all five rounds to beat Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title, though it was a completely lopsided affair that only strengthened Makhachev’s case to be considered the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. For anyone not entertained by Makhachev’s strategy, St-Pierre has some words for them.
“Right now I think the best pound-for-pound is probably Islam Makhachev,” St-Pierre said on a recent Kick broadcast with streamer Adin Ross. “I was there, I witnessed his performance last Saturday. It was freaking brilliant. Unbelievable. I don’t think he even took a punch. It’s unbelievable. A lot of people, ‘Oh, it was a decision.’ People who say that, I’m sorry, because they don’t know the art of fighting. They have no idea. They don’t understand the art of fighting. His performance was freaking amazing. Yeah, the fight was not a flawless victory with a crazy submission or knockout, but the way going up a weight class and beat Jack Della Maddalena like he did is freaking hard.”
Even though Della Maddalena made it to the final bell, there were multiple points in the bout where the Australian standout appeared to be completely discouraged, either because of injuries suffered in the bout or because he was completely neutralized by Makhachev.
Losing in that manner can be far more devastating, according to St-Pierre.
“I think one thing for a fighter that is harder to take when you lose than being knocked out or submitted is going into a decision but getting beat for five rounds and knowing that you’re far—Like, you didn’t get clipped, you didn’t make a mistake,” St-Pierre said. “You lose because that guy is just that much better than you and that could be, for Jack, for example, could be a wake-up call or it could be his downfall or a wake-up call to make him rise to the occasion, to realize like, ‘Man, I need to work on this, this, this to get better.’ We’ll see what’s going to happen.
Makhachev is now the 11th UFC fighter to win titles in two divisions and his 16th consecutive victory inside the octagon tied a record with the great Anderson Silva. He is 28-1, with his lone defeat occurring in his second UFC fight in 2015 when he was knocked out by Adriano Martins.
A strong lineup of welterweight challengers awaits Makhachev, and there is also the possibility he may move up to chase a third title in the future. Whatever Makhachev decides, St-Pierre likes his chances, though he reminds fans that even the all-time greats can lose on any given night.
“The thing is anyone can beat anyone,” St-Pierre said. “There is nobody that is invincible. Even though I believe Islam Makhachev is the best fighter pound-for-pound, that doesn’t mean he will always win because it’s not the best fighter that wins the fight, it’s the fighter that fights the best the night of the fight. Same thing in hockey, baseball, basketball, the team on paper who’s the best team doesn’t always win the game. There are certain things that happen that affect the result and that are very often out of our control and that’s why we make fights happen, otherwise it would be boring if we always know who would win. That’s why there are bets, that’s the reason why.
“Islam right now, I believe he’s the best, but that doesn’t mean there’s not someone that stylistically will match him and give him a lot of trouble or probably beat him. It’s very possible.”
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