Islam Makhachev

The strongest position he takes anywhere on the card: he calls him the most complete fighter in the promotion, says he cannot see anyone beating him at present, and predicts a specific finish rather than a decision.

The analyst rates him the best grappler in the promotion and the most complete fighter in it. He argues the striking is systematically underrated because most of its value is defensive and does not read on camera: by threatening at every level with a mix of striking and takedown feints, he makes opponents uncertain what is coming and they stop working, which is why so little lands on him. Range control, not head movement, is the mechanism. On top of that he brings good kicks at range, accurate combinations that fold in kicks, and sharp counters against opponents stepping in. The grappling is described in mechanical detail: near-perfect entries, a signature single leg switching to an inside trip that lands him in half guard, and control so good that he advances position by feinting submissions to make opponents concede the next spot. His takedown defence is strong and he scrambles well. The submission game currently runs through the d'arce, which he has said is his favourite, plus the arm triangle, with the armbar largely retired.