A biography for Islam Makhachevhasn’t been written yet.
“Don't call me lightweight champion. Call me pound-for-pound best fighter.”
“English is important if you want to make money. You have to speak some language everybody understands.”
“I know I kick very well and for the opponent like Volkanovski who's a little bit short, the best plan was to land some kick. When you have a short opponent, it's easy to land.”
“My style and Khabib's style, it's worst style for Dustin. People who can can take him down, hold him there, it always gives him problems.”
“My dream fight, I have to fight in the next division, 170.”
“Everybody who steps to the cage wants to knock me out, but I stop them all.”
“I'm going to headline a card in Abu Dhabi one day.”
“When the cage is closed nobody is going to help you.”
“I have to fight Leon Edwards.”
“It's not my job thinking about the future because I have a manager. I have a team.”
“I want to fight for the title in Abu Dhabi when all my fans can support me.”
“Khabib is not just some training or sparring partner. He can give me more because he has so much experience in this game.”
“I like to travel, Australia, bring some guy, new city, new country, something new.”
“Dustin, he is a warrior, legend - he has more than everybody experience in this sport. But his problem is his style. That's the one problem this guy has. His weak point is wrestling and grappling, and I have the key for the easy fight.”
“I love big fights.”
“I just ask all the time for someone ranked. They give me all these people. I smash all of them.”
“When I fight in Abu Dhabi and Russia I feel great because I feel this support. When I fight in the U.S.A. everybody supports my opponent.”
“I'm just happy to beat someone who has a big name like Dustin, because for the legacy, it's going to be maybe the biggest name in my list.”
“I have to be No. 1 pound-for-pound champion.”
“If you want a great legacy, you have to get second belt. It's my opinion.”