Georges St-Pierre names his UFC pound-for-pound number one weeks out from title fight

01/06/2025 07:39 AM

Former three-time UFC champion Georges St-Pierre is on the all-time pound-for-pound (P4P) list for many fight fans.

‘Rush’ etched his name into the annals of MMA history with his legendary streak of championship victories from 2007 to 2017. In this time, he racked up 10 title defences in the welterweight division and claimed the middleweight belt from Michael Bisping after a five-year hiatus.

St-Pierre is a tough act to follow, but he believes there is one fighter who could fill his shoes.

Georges St-Pierre ranks Islam Makhachev as the best pound-for-pound UFC talent right now

Speaking to esteemed coach Firas Zahabi at the Tristar Gym in Montreal, St-Pierre named UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev as his P4P No. 1.

“[Makhachev’s] amazing,” St-Pierre remarked. “I think right now he’s the best pound-for-pound… Because of his last few performances. … I think they’re just the best of their game, you know, these two guys [Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov].

“The guys from Dagestan they just come with an incredible wrestling background, and they’re just so good at mixing it all up.”

Makhachev is just one of many Dagestani fighters dominating the world of MMA. Khabib’s cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov, will challenge for the bantamweight title in the co-main event of UFC 311.

Meanwhile, Umar’s younger brother, Usman Nurmagomedov, reigns as the PFL-Bellator lightweight champion and is set to defend his title against Paul Hughes in January.

Recently released flyweight fighter Muhammad Mokaev, originally from Dagestan, was once on the brink of capturing UFC gold.

Islam Makhachev is set to make UFC history at UFC 311

Makhachev is set to defend his lightweight title for the fourth time in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan, headlining UFC 311 on January 18.

His lightweight championship reign includes impressive victories over Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Charles Oliveira, and Dustin Poirier.

Makhachev’s first fight with Volkanovski is considered one of the greatest displays of MMA ever.

If he defends his belt, Makhachev will set a new record for lightweight title defences, surpassing the current mark of three held by Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, and BJ Penn. Every subsequent title defence for Makhachev would be a legacy-defining moment.

Alternatively, Makhachev might explore moving up to welterweight or even middleweight in pursuit of double or triple championship status.