Fans have sparked a lively Islam Makhachev grappling debate after a fantasy matchup was proposed between Islam Makhachev, alongside other top Dagestani MMA grapplers, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) standout Mica Galvao. The discussion centers on how these elite fighters would perform against each other, given their reputations in grappling within and beyond the 155-pound division.
Imagining a Grappling Showdown Between Elite Fighters
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev are widely recognized as premier grapplers within the UFC’s lightweight division, both holding dominant records in MMA. Recently, attention shifted toward how these two, along with other Dagestani fighters, might fare against Mica Galvao, a BJJ black belt who competes at 170 pounds and is considered one of the sport’s brightest young talents.
Craig Jones, a respected Australian BJJ practitioner known for his work with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, proposed a fantasy grappling contest. Jones imagined Galvao facing five top Dagestani MMA grapplers in a 5-versus-1 scenario. The lineup besides Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov included Usman Nurmagomedov, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Magomed Ankalaev—all accomplished fighters with strong grappling credentials.
Galvao, who at 21 has already achieved historic success by winning all four major BJJ tournaments in a single season in 2024, was at the center of this hypothetical challenge. His accomplishments have led many to consider him a potential all-time great in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Fan Reactions Highlight Divided Opinions
Craig Jones shared his challenge on social media, sparking lively debate among fans. When Jones asked,
“Could any of these guys hold their own vs. Mica if they grappled?”
responses quickly poured in. Some fans were confident Galvao would dominate:
“Pure grappling? Nope. Mica sub inside 2 [minutes]”
Others questioned Galvao’s ability against MMA fighters, turning the question back on his prospects:
“Could Mica hold his own vs. any of them if they fought?”
Another faction was certain of Galvao’s superiority in pure grappling encounters:
“He beats them all in the same night twice over”
“Not even if they started from mount.”
However, some fans believed the experienced MMA grapplers would have an edge, especially Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev:
“Khabib and Islam would for sure. Depends on what ‘holding your own’ means.”
This discussion reflects how fans value differing skills between pure BJJ competition and grappling within MMA rules and contexts.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Offers Respectful Farewell to Jon Jones
In a related note within the MMA world, Khabib Nurmagomedov recently acknowledged the retirement of legendary fighter Jon Jones with a heartfelt message. Jones, celebrated as one of the greatest MMA fighters ever, has left a lasting legacy across multiple weight classes. Nurmagomedov posted on Instagram:
“My congratulations, legend. Even [though] we were not friends, but you are the best who ever do it in UFC history and you inspire millions of people around the world. You have nothing more to prove in this sport.”
This message highlights the respect and admiration shared among top-tier athletes in combat sports, marking the close of a remarkable career in MMA.
Looking Ahead: The Influence of This Grappling Debate
The ongoing debate around Islam Makhachev grappling and how he compares to Mica Galvao underscores the continuing excitement and complexity within combat sports grappling discussions. While MMA grapplers like Makhachev and Nurmagomedov integrate grappling with striking and broader fight strategies, specialized BJJ practitioners such as Galvao focus exclusively on submission skills and positional control.
This dialogue not only celebrates the talents of these athletes but also highlights the differences between competition styles. As both MMA and BJJ continue to evolve, such debates help fans appreciate the nuances of grappling disciplines. Whether hypothetical matchups like the one proposed by Craig Jones will ever materialize remains uncertain, but the conversation keeps fan interest high in the technical and competitive aspects of grappling in martial arts.