St. Pierre outlines Makhachev’s route to UFC GOAT legacy

Islam Makhachev steps into the Xfinity Mobile Arena at UFC 330 in Philadelphia with a historic opportunity. One win over Ian Garry shatters one of combat sports’ most storied records.

Makhachev is tied with Anderson Silva for the longest win streak in UFC history. Sixteen consecutive fights have placed him among the sport’s elite. But according to Georges St. Pierre, breaking that record is only the first step toward GOAT status.

St. Pierre—a multi-weight champion and MMA legend himself—has laid out the roadmap. The immediate test is Garry, who St. Pierre respects as a tough opponent with excellent striking. This is no mere formality.

Beyond the win streak, St. Pierre points to Makhachev’s technical mastery. “Islam has the edge in terms of skills because he’s more well-rounded, he can do it all, especially with his grappling. He’s got an edge in that department,” he said. That grappling could be the difference against Garry’s striking.

The bigger vision St. Pierre outlined is audacious. No UFC fighter has ever won titles across three weight classes. Alex Pereira tried recently and fell short. St. Pierre, though, sees something different in Makhachev. “Maybe he will eventually go up to middleweight, try to do the three-weight-class club,” the Canadian suggested.

For now, it’s Philadelphia. One fight. One record. Then, perhaps, everything else follows.