UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has warned his teammates that they should adjust their fight styles to avoid being axed from the UFC.
Over the past few years, Dagestani fighters have received lots of criticism from the MMA fanbase due to their unique fight styles.
Predominantly, fighters from the region are specialised in holding down and controlling their opponents, without actually doing much damage, which angers the fanbase.
And seemingly, their styles don’t just anger the fanbase, because the UFC have began to crack down on fighters with certain styles.
Just a few months ago, fans were shocked to learn that Rinat Fakhretdinov, who was on a 23-fight unbeaten streak, was not being kept on by the UFC.
Islam Makhachev claims the UFC want ‘street fight’ style fighters
Despite his dominant reign within the premier promotion, Khabib Nurmagomedov often faced criticism as a result of his style, and that has passed right down to his team, which is now spearheaded by Islam Makhachev.
Makhachev often avoids criticism due to his slick striking ability along along with his tendency to hunt for submissions during his fights.
Nevertheless, he has urged his teammates that they have to adapt their styles and ‘go on the market and scrap’.
“I already tell the blokes, you’ve got to go on the market and scrap,” Makhachev told Ushatayka.
“Those Dagestani fighters that just show up, dominate everyone, don’t speak English, don’t sell the fight, don’t hype anything up – I believe that variety of fighter isn’t interesting for the UFC anymore.
“What they need is essentially a street fight variety of vibe, someone who just comes out and throws down… Some dudes lose 6 or 7 fights but they keep getting fights because they go on the market and scrap each time, win or lose.
“I won’t name names, but considered one of the UFC execs told me that they’ve got guys like that.”
The UFC are rewarding all-action fighters
For the reason that starting of the yr and the promotions latest broadcast take care of Paramount, the UFC are seemingly rewarding fighters with more fan-friendly fight styles.
Over the past few weeks, it has grow to be more noticeable as certain fighters are finding themselves further up fight cards than others due to their fight styles being more exciting.