Stephen Thompson, a renowned former welterweight contender, has identified three pivotal factors that could help future challengers overcome UFC champion Islam Makhachev.
Makhachev ascended to the welterweight division last year, impressively dethroning Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 to claim the undisputed welterweight title and reclaim his pound-for-pound top spot.
He is slated to make his inaugural title defense in August, potentially against Ian Machado Garry. Other contenders in contention for a title shot include Michael Morales, Carlos Prates, and Kamaru Usman.
Meanwhile, the veteran fighter Thompson, now 43, has offered valuable advice that could benefit Makhachev’s prospective opponents.
How to Beat Islam Makhachev? Stephen Thompson Weighs In
In a recent interview with Full Mount MMA, Stephen Thompson elaborated on the three critical elements necessary to defeat Islam Makhachev, prioritizing exceptional cardio as the most significant factor.
“Islam is the type of guy to make a fight very, very, very grueling for his opponent, right? Guys like Islam, guys like Khabib, they try to break your spirit… For a fighter, their cardio has to be there. They have to be mentally, physically, and emotionally ready for the most grueling fight ever and have the cardio for it. It’s similar to what Strickland did against Chimaev.”
Makhachev has consistently demonstrated incredible cardio throughout his career, even during his lightweight tenure. Concerns were raised about whether the additional 15 pounds for welterweight would impact his stamina. However, his dominant performance against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 emphatically silenced any doubts, marking a powerful arrival in the new weight class.
“Wonderboy” emphasized that the second key for any fighter facing Makhachev is to possess superior movement and a high fight IQ. Remaining stationary for extended periods makes it easier for the Dagestani wrestling specialist to initiate takedowns and drag opponents to the ground. Therefore, continuous resets are crucial for avoidance.
“Second, you have to be very difficult to hit, very difficult to pin down in one spot. If you stand there for too long, they will get to your legs.”
Finally, Stephen Thompson highlighted the third and perhaps most critical aspect of facing Islam Makhachev: effective close-range striking. Thompson believes that when the Russian attempts to close the distance for takedowns or submissions, opponents must be prepared to counter him with sharp “elbows and knees on the inside.”
“And then it’s going to be their last line of defense, their knees and elbows, that close-range striking to make them pay for trying to get on the inside… I think Carlos Prates is very good at that with his elbows and knees.”
Watch Stephen Thompson’s full comments on how to defeat Islam Makhachev below: