Islam Makhachev believes the most effective mixed martial artist is not simply the best striker or wrestler. A true champion must be capable everywhere, then use an opponent’s weaknesses to create the clearest path to victory. For Makhachev, that path often leads to the ground and, ultimately, a submission.
Speaking with Demetrious Johnson on his podcast, Makhachev explained why he does not view a match with a dangerous striker as a reason to engage in a prolonged stand-up battle.
“If you [are competing] with some striker, you know what [is] the easy way. If you want to hard [match], okay, strike with him all day. It’s going to be hard to finish him, but you know his skill. He don’t have nothing in the ground. Just take him down, take the money, go home.”
That approach summarizes Makhachev’s philosophy. Rather than proving himself in an area where an opponent is strongest, he prefers to force the contest into a position where his own technical advantages become decisive. A successful takedown can remove much of the uncertainty of a striking exchange, while positional control allows him to steadily work toward a finish.
His submission victory over Dustin Poirier provided a clear example. Makhachev survived a difficult contest, continued pursuing the finish and eventually secured a D’Arce choke.
He revealed that it is one of his favorite techniques, explaining, “I don’t go like right away here. I choke from my wrist. I take the wrist and close.”
The finish demonstrated several advantages of submissions. They can reward patience, precision and control rather than relying solely on a single powerful strike. They can also end a match without requiring a long exchange of punishment. Makhachev had the option of maintaining control, but continued searching for the opening until Poirier was forced to submit.
His training philosophy reflects the same belief. Makhachev repeatedly emphasizes the need to develop every part of the game while targeting the opponent’s weakest area.
“You cannot want to be champion with good arms,” he said. “You have to do everything.”
For Makhachev, submissions represent the ideal combination of skill and efficiency. They allow an athlete to dictate where the action takes place, neutralize an opponent’s greatest strength and finish the contest through technical superiority.
