Cejudo Says Makhachev GOAT Talk 'Premature'

Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo believes the conversation around Islam Makhachev as an all-time great is happening too soon.

Makhachev extended his win streak to 17 fights with a decision over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330, breaking Anderson Silva's record for consecutive UFC victories. The performance prompted fresh debate about where the welterweight champion ranks among the sport's legends, but Cejudo told MMA Junkie Radio that crowning Makhachev now would be premature.

Cejudo's All-Time Rankings After UFC 330

"It's a little premature," Cejudo said of calling Makhachev the GOAT, per MMA Junkie. "To say 'the GOAT,' that's Jon Jones." Cejudo placed Jones first based on an unblemished record across 16 or 17 title fights, followed by Demetrious Johnson's 11 consecutive defenses and Silva's 10 at middleweight. He ranked Makhachev fourth alongside Georges St-Pierre, noting that GSP never defended a second belt after moving to middleweight.

Cejudo credited Makhachev for defending the welterweight strap after winning it, a feat Cejudo himself accomplished at flyweight and bantamweight. He said title defenses across divisions separate the elite from the merely excellent. Makhachev now holds the longest active win streak in the UFC and has defended two different belts, but Cejudo suggested the champion would need years more dominance to challenge Jones for the top spot.

Makhachev's next title defense has not been announced. The champion has cleared out much of the welterweight division and could face a fresh challenger or pursue a superfight at a third weight class.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Henry Cejudo thinks GOAT talk is ‘premature’ when it comes to Islam Makhachev