Why do some UFC fans hate Islam Makhachev?: Why is there so much hate towards Islam Makhachev among certain UFC fans? The current lightweight champion is undoubtedly one of the best fighters in the UFC at the moment. With an impressive record of 24 wins and only 1 loss, he has been on a dominant 12-fight winning streak, with his sole loss dating back to 2015 at UFC 192, where he suffered a first-round knockout from Adriano Martins. Since that defeat, Makhachev has been on a tear, dismantling his opponents with ease.

Despite his remarkable achievements, Islam Makhachev still remains an underrated champion in the eyes of some fans. One notable example is his first title defense against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who was considered the best pound-for-pound fighter at the time. Islam traveled to Volkanovski's home country, Australia, and defeated him by unanimous decision. This victory should have solidified his position as the best fighter in the UFC. Yet, it was met with criticism on social media, with some fans insisting that Volkanovski had won, ignoring the unanimous decision verdict. So, why is Islam Makhachev facing such backlash, and could he be the most disliked champion in UFC history? Let's delve into the reasons behind this.

Why do some UFC fans hate Islam Makhachev?

The interesting aspect is that the reasons for the animosity toward Islam Makhachev have little to do with his behavior or demeanor. There could be several factors contributing to this, including:

One could be related to his close relationship with Khabib Nurmagamediv. Khabib Nurmagomedov is considered one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, with a perfect 29-0 record. He had a fierce rivalry with Conor McGregor, a global superstar. After Khabib's dominant victory over McGregor, some of McGregor's fans turned against Khabib. As a close friend and training partner of Khabib, Islam Makhachev has now become the target of this backlash, especially since Khabib has retired from MMA.

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The other thing could be his ethnicity. There has been an underlying sentiment of animosity among Western MMA fans towards Dagestanis. This could be due to a combination of their traditional Muslim beliefs and the aura of invincibility that fighters like Khabib and Makhachev exude.

Defeating fan-favorite fighters is another reason. Islam Makhachev's victories over fan-favorite fighters have contributed to the negative sentiment. Charles Oliveira, a beloved champion, was defeated and completely dominated by Makhachev in all aspects of the fight before being knocked down and submitted, making him appear amateurish. Similarly, beating Alexander Volkanovski in Perth was another win that stirred controversy among some Western MMA fans.

In summary, the dislike for Islam Makhachev among certain UFC fans seems to stem from various factors, including his association with Khabib Nurmagomedov, the negative sentiment toward Dagestanis, and his victories over popular fighters. However, it's essential to remember that fan sentiment can be divisive, and Makhachev's accomplishments in the octagon speak for themselves.

For more info, click: Why is Islam Makhachev is the most underrated champion?