Mauricio Ruffy Calls Islam Makhachev “Boring and Uninnovative” – A Deep Technical Breakdown of Why His Sambo Dominance Still Reigns Supreme

When Mauricio Ruffy mocked Islam Makhachev by calling his fights “boring” and lacking innovation, he tapped into one of the oldest debates in mixed martial arts: what makes a fighter truly great? For many fans, MMA is about spectacular knockouts, flying knees, and jaw-dropping highlight reels. For others, the beauty lies in control, dominance, and the slow suffocation of an opponent who realizes there is no escape.

Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, embodies the latter. His style, deeply rooted in the discipline of Combat Sambo, has turned him into one of the most dominant fighters of his era. Yet, his dominance has also sparked criticism—particularly from strikers and fans who crave fast finishes and flashy knockouts.

This article will explore Makhachev’s style in painstaking detail, dissecting why he is criticized as “boring” while simultaneously being almost impossible to beat. We’ll connect his roots in Dagestan, his technical arsenal, his comparisons with all-action strikers like Ilia Topuria, Anderson Silva, and Jon Jones, and his role as the spiritual successor to Khabib Nurmagomedov. By the end, the question becomes clear: is being “boring” really a weakness—or is it the highest form of dominance?

Islam Makhachev – The Heir to Sambo and Khabib

From Dagestan to UFC Glory

Born in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Islam Makhachev grew up in a culture where wrestling and Combat Sambo are more than sports—they are survival tools. The mountains of Dagestan have produced some of the toughest fighters in MMA history, and Makhachev followed in that tradition, training alongside childhood friend and future mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The Khabib Connection

Khabib’s retirement in 2020 left a vacuum in the lightweight division. His 29-0 record was untouchable, and his dominance reshaped what fans expected from grapplers. When Makhachev stepped into the spotlight, many doubted whether he could fill that void. But under the guidance of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s legacy and with Javier Mendez at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), Islam slowly proved he was not just Khabib 2.0—he was something different, something sharper.

Why Sambo Works in Modern MMA

Sambo is a hybrid martial art combining judo throws, wrestling takedowns, and submissions. Unlike traditional wrestling, Sambo fighters are taught to control transitions, blend striking into grappling, and constantly pressure opponents into mistakes. In modern MMA, where fighters are well-rounded, Sambo provides three crucial advantages:

1. Positional dominance – Fighters like Makhachev smother opponents, leaving them unable to strike or stand.

2. Submission threats – From arm-triangles to kimuras, Sambo practitioners punish mistakes instantly.

3. Energy drain – Carrying a Dagestani grappler on your back is exhausting. Even elite strikers like Alexander Volkanovski admitted how draining it felt against Makhachev.

This foundation explains why Makhachev has risen to the top, even if critics like Mauricio Ruffy dismiss his fights as “too predictable.”

Contrasting Styles – “Boring” or “Unstoppable”?

The Criticism from Mauricio Ruffy

Mauricio Ruffy recently mocked grapplers, saying: “If you like stomping feet and hugging on the ground, go train Sambo.” The jab was directed at fighters like Makhachev, whose style prioritizes control over fireworks.

To casual fans, Makhachev’s dominance might look monotonous—he clinches, takes opponents down, pins them, and suffocates their game. But to trained eyes, this is chess, not checkers. Every transition, every grip adjustment, and every weight shift is part of a suffocating puzzle.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

• Record: 26-1 (as of 2025)

• Submissions: 11

• Knockouts/TKOs: 5

• Average fight time: 8 minutes 27 seconds (shorter than many strikers)

Far from “boring,” Makhachev has finished nearly two-thirds of his opponents. What frustrates critics is not that he can’t finish—it’s that his finishes often come from slow, suffocating control instead of explosive highlights.

“Boring but Dominant” – The Paradox

In MMA, dominance often looks dull because the opponent is denied any chance to shine. Fans who want chaos sometimes forget: if you’re too good at shutting down chaos, the fight won’t look dramatic—it’ll look one-sided. That’s the story of Makhachev.

Comparing Makhachev with Fireworks Strikers

Ilia Topuria – The New KO King

Ilia Topuria, the undefeated Spanish-Georgian champion, is Ruffy’s golden boy. With crisp boxing, brutal body shots, and highlight-reel knockouts, Topuria represents everything fans crave in a striker. But here’s the catch—his biggest weakness is grappling defense. Against a Sambo master like Makhachev, could he survive?

Anderson Silva – The Spider’s Web

Anderson Silva was the embodiment of creativity—front kicks, spinning elbows, and head movement that belonged in The Matrix. Yet, his Achilles’ heel was grapplers like Chael Sonnen and Chris Weidman, who dragged him out of his comfort zone.

Jon Jones – The Hybrid King

Jon Jones, often called the greatest of all time, combined striking and wrestling seamlessly. Unlike Silva or Topuria, Jones thrived in both realms. Comparing him to Makhachev highlights one truth: the most dominant fighters always mix styles, not just rely on knockouts.

Grappling vs Striking – Which Defines MMA?

MMA is built on contrasts. Knockouts bring fans, grappling brings champions. The debate over which style is superior isn’t new—but Makhachev’s rise proves grappling is not going away. As Ruffy praises strikers, Makhachev quietly keeps stacking wins.

The Commercial Reality – Are Grapplers Really Less Marketable?

UFC Main Events Don’t Lie

Critics say grapplers are “less entertaining,” yet Makhachev headlines some of the biggest UFC pay-per-views. His fights against Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski, and Dustin Poirier drew massive buys. Numbers prove that fans tune in, even if they complain afterward.

Dagestan Dominance Sells

The “Dagestani grappler” image has become iconic in MMA. From Khabib Nurmagomedov to Islam Makhachev, these fighters embody discipline, humility, and quiet destruction. Fans might boo during a fight, but they pay to see if anyone can solve the puzzle.

Knockouts vs Control – The Business Side

It’s true: highlight-reel strikers like Conor McGregor and Francis Ngannou generate viral moments. But grapplers like Khabib and Makhachev sell narratives of inevitability. People tune in not to watch chaos—but to see if dominance can be broken. That’s a storyline just as powerful as any knockout.

Makhachev’s Technical Arsenal – A Deep Dive

To understand why Makhachev frustrates critics, let’s dissect his technical toolkit:

The Takedown Game

• Chain wrestling – If the first shot fails, he transitions to body locks or trips.

• Sambo throws – Unique compared to American wrestling, Sambo allows him to launch opponents from the clinch.

• Pressure setups – His jab isn’t flashy, but it forces opponents to overcommit, setting up takedowns.

The Ground Control

• Dagestani Handcuff – A signature control technique, pinning an opponent’s arm behind their back while striking freely.

• Leg rides – Forcing opponents to carry his weight while unable to scramble.

• Positional dominance – Rarely loses top control once established.

Submission Arsenal

• Arm-triangle choke (Oliveira fight, UFC 280).

• Kimura traps that turn into transitions.

• Rear-naked choke threats after flattening opponents.

Striking – The Underrated Weapon

Critics call his striking basic, but his head kick knockout of Volkanovski at UFC 294 silenced doubters. He’s not flashy, but efficient—using strikes to set up grappling, not chase knockouts.

Legacy and the Future of Sambo in UFC

Carrying the Dagestani Torch

Makhachev continues the Dagestani legacy started by Khabib Nurmagomedov. Together, they’ve made Combat Sambo a feared discipline in MMA.

Will Strikers Overtake Grapplers?

Mauricio Ruffy’s comments highlight a fan desire for striking-heavy champions. But history shows that grapplers dominate when it matters. Unless someone solves Makhachev’s puzzle, grappling remains king.

The Lightweight Division’s Next Chapter

The division is stacked with contenders: Arman Tsarukyan, Mateusz Gamrot, Paddy Pimblett, and Ilia Topuria if he moves up. The question is not if—but when—someone can crack the Dagestani code.

Conclusion – Boring or Brilliant?

Mauricio Ruffy’s mockery of Islam Makhachev as “boring” misses the point. Dominance isn’t always glamorous, but it’s the truest mark of mastery. Grappling-heavy styles like Makhachev’s may not produce flashy knockouts, but they expose the fundamental reality of MMA: control beats chaos.

From Dagestan to the world stage, Makhachev has proven that Sambo works at the highest level. He may not win every fan with fireworks, but he wins every fight with suffocation. And in the unforgiving world of the UFC lightweight division, that’s all that matters.

So, the next time someone calls Makhachev “boring,” remember this: boring is what greatness looks like when nobody can stop it.