In the world of mixed martial arts, few fighters can match the skills and tenacity of Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion. His grappling prowess and top-notch control have earned him praise from fans and pundits alike. However, Joe Rogan, the UFC color commentator and podcast host, wonders if Makhachev’s mystique has taken a hit.

Makhachev is gearing up for a highly anticipated rematch against Charles Oliveira, the man he defeated to capture the UFC gold. This rematch is set to headline UFC 294 on October 21 in Abu Dhabi and has garnered positive feedback from fans and experts. Follow your favourite MMA team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet, one of the best MMA betting sites.

Yet, it’s the potential sequel between Makhachev and Alex Volkanovski that has fight enthusiasts buzzing with excitement. Their first encounter earlier this year ended in a unanimous decision victory for Makhachev, but it was far from an easy win.

Joe Rogan, a prominent voice in the MMA community, believes that this fight exposed a chink in Makhachev’s armor. He spoke about it during a recent episode of the “JRE MMA Show,” where he had guests Sean O’Malley and coach Tim Welch.

Rogan pointed out, “You see vulnerability in Islam after that fight with Volkanovski. First of all, you see how good Volkanovski really is. F****** animal. He’s number one pound-for-pound. They have him not listed as pound-for-pound because he lost that fight, I think you could make a real argument that he won that fight. I think he won the fight, in my mind he won the fight.”

The fight community is now eager to see if Charles Oliveira can bring something new to the table in his rematch with Makhachev. Their initial bout was a one-sided affair, ending with Makhachev securing a second-round submission victory. If Oliveira can’t solve the puzzle, there may be a chance for Volkanovski to get his highly anticipated rematch.

As the world of MMA continues to evolve, the question remains: Has someone finally cracked the mystique of Islam Makhachev, or will he continue to dominate the lightweight division? Fight fans eagerly await the answers in the octagon. Get the latest updates from the world of MMA only on Nextbet Sports.