Islam Makhachev cites challenges in staying motivated, reveals what really motivates him heading into UFC 330
UFC 330 headliner Islam Makhachev has opened up about what truly motivates him as a fighter to keep training hard.
Islam Makhachev is on the cusp of etching his name in the history books the next time he sets foot inside the octagon. He's on an extraordinary 16-fight UFC win streak, matched only by former UFC superstar Anderson "The Spider" Silva.
Makhachev, who's a former UFC lightweight champion and the reigning UFC welterweight titlist, has now shed light on what's kept him motivated over the course of his long and storied MMA career.
MMA great Islam Makhachev suggested that the need to prepare for the fight game's dangers motivates him to train well
In an edition of the Game Set Padel Podcast, Islam Makhachev recently appeared to acknowledge that staying motivated is quite challenging.
When asked about his being in an elite club of fighters who've won UFC titles in two weight classes and what keeps him motivated, Makhachev stated:
"Very hard to be still, like, motivated, you know. First time, when I was fighter, I was dreaming to become UFC champion."
Makhachev indicated that after winning his maiden UFC title, becoming the UFC lightweight champion, he was motivated by the goal of notching the most UFC title defenses in the division's history under the UFC banner. The grappling savant did so by notching four UFC lightweight title defenses.
The Dagestani combatant recalled accomplishing that, adding that the objective of becoming a two-division UFC champion became his new motivation thereafter.
The 34-year-old indicated that as of now, he's tied with former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva for most consecutive wins in UFC history (16), implying that breaking Silva's record is perhaps what motivates him now.
Nevertheless, he underscored that the primary motivation for him, as a fighter, is to train optimally, or else he'd enter a fight unprepared and get hurt. Makhachev revealed his hypothesis concerning the same, saying:
"But first of all, what motivate me is that if you step in the cage and you're not ready, someone gonna smash your face. You know? That's why I have to be focused. I have to still training hard."
Furthermore, Makhachev suggested that the training is good for his health. He emphasized that if you head into a fight without having trained well, you'd be tired and underprepared, which could be a recipe for disaster because the opponent could seriously hurt you.
Watch Islam Makhachev discuss his motivations and more below (*comments at the 33:00-minute mark of the video):
Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry headlines UFC 330, as the welterweight ruler seeks his first title defense
Islam Makhachev captured the UFC welterweight championship with a unanimous decision victory against Jack Della Maddalena last November. He'd vacated the UFC lightweight belt and confirmed that he's staying in the 170-pound weight class for the foreseeable future.
Certain sections of the MMA community have lately been quite critical of Makhachev, pointing out that he's been inactive for several months and has yet to notch his first defense of the UFC welterweight belt.
Currently, Makhachev is booked to defend the welterweight title against Ireland's Ian Machado Garry, who's hailed as one of the very best strikers in the UFC today. Their much-awaited clash will serve as the main event of UFC 330 in Philadelphia on August 15.
