UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev recently voiced his frustration with how some MMA athletes are rapidly promoted without truly earning their status. In an interview with Demetrius Johnson, the champion highlighted the challenges of rising through the ranks and questioned the current trend of quick belt promotions.
“Why are you scared to go with him on the ground? You’re a black belt,” Makhachev said to Demetrious Johnson.
“But now, it’s a big deal to give some fighters a black belt. No, it’s not. It shouldn’t work like this, you know. I think people agree with me. If you’re a UFC champion, you cannot be a black belt in one day. No, it’s not working like that.”
He went further and put Poirier on blast again:
“Maybe brown, purple?”
“To be a black belt, you have to compete in Jiu-Jitsu. You have to do a lot, you know? But now it’s like a big deal to give some fighters a black belt. No, it shouldn’t work like this.”“I think people agree with me. If you’re a UFC champion, you cannot just be one-day black belt. No, it’s not working like that.”
“They have to go to some competition, World Championship, like international, like do something special to be a black belt, to deserve this.”
Makhachev went on to reveal he wasn’t able to pursue Combat Sambo to the degree he wanted in lead up to his UFC career but also he’s unlikely to pursue it after his career is over because he would have a target on his back.
“But it’s going to be hard because when I come back after UFC, to the… they’re going to be targeting me.”
