St-Pierre Declares Makhachev the world’s Best Pound-for-Pound Fighter after UFC 322 Win
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Georges St-pierre believes Islam Makhachev has cemented his place as the top fighter in the world,praising the champion’s tactical brilliance following his recent victory over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. The dominant performance,though a five-round decision,underscored the skills that St-Pierre himself utilized throughout a legendary career.
A Tactical Masterclass
St-Pierre, a former welterweight and middleweight champion, sees a kindred spirit in Makhachev’s approach to the sport. Both fighters are known for their meticulous game plans and ability to control opponents, even if it doesn’t always result in a spectacular finish. “Right now I think the best pound-for-pound is probably Islam Makhachev,” St-Pierre stated during a recent broadcast. “I was there, I witnessed his performance last Saturday. It was freaking brilliant. Unbelievable. I don’t think he even took a punch.”
The fight against Della Maddalena, while lasting the full distance, was described as “wholly lopsided,” further solidifying Makhachev’s claim to the No. 1 pound-for-pound ranking. St-pierre took issue with criticism leveled at Makhachev for not securing a more definitive victory. “People who say that, I’m sorry, because they don’t know the art of fighting,” he asserted. “They have no idea. They don’t understand the art of fighting.”
The Psychological Impact of Dominance
St-Pierre emphasized that a comprehensive,five-round defeat can be more damaging to a fighter’s psyche than a quick knockout or submission. He explained that losing without being significantly hurt, simply being outmatched, can be a notably arduous pill to swallow. “I think one thing for a fighter that is harder to take when you lose than being knocked out or submitted is going into a decision but getting beat for five rounds and knowing that you’re far-Like,you didn’t get clipped,you didn’t make a mistake,” St-Pierre said.”You lose as that guy is just that much better than you.”
He suggested that the experience could serve as a crucial turning point for Della Maddalena, either motivating him to improve or possibly leading to a decline.
A Rising Legacy
With his win at UFC 322, Makhachev became the 11th fighter in UFC history to capture titles in two different weight divisions. His current 16-fight winning streak ties him with Anderson Silva for one of the longest in the promotion’s history. Makhachev’s record now stands at 28-1, with his only loss coming in 2015 against Adriano martins.
Looking ahead,Makhachev faces a strong pool of welterweight contenders,and the possibility of pursuing a third championship in a different weight class remains open. St-Pierre expressed confidence in Makhachev’s future prospects, but also cautioned against assuming invincibility.
The Unpredictability of Combat Sports
“The thing is anyone can beat anyone,” St-Pierre reminded fans. “There is nobody that is invincible. Even though I believe Islam Makhachev is the best fighter pound-for-pound, that doesn’t mean he will always win because it’s not the best fighter that wins the fight, it’s the fighter that fights the best the night of the fight.” He drew parallels to team sports, noting that even the most talented teams can be upset on any given day.
“Islam right now,I believe he’s the best,but that doesn’t mean there’s not someone that stylistically will match him and give him a lot of trouble or probably beat him. It’s very possible.” The inherent unpredictability, St-Pierre concluded, is what makes combat sports so compelling.
