Where is the spin? Even Khabib knows Islam might be in tough here. If you look at their relative size, age and Garry’s well roundedness, this has never been done before for a reason, but it will make it all the more special if Islam accomplishes it.
He is a 6 foot 3 well rounded talent. A head taller than Islam with nearly 5 inches of reach which makes striking much more difficult for Islam. Garry’s grappling defense is about as good as you can get for a non Russian fighter.
He’s not a monster because he lacks power but he’s incredibly skilled. One loss to Shavkat in a decision where he had moments and otherwise unblemished.
So you’re saying both of them poached weak champions and ran from the sport instead of defend a single time after moving up. You’ve automatically disqualified them from the same conversation as Islam.
What Jones supposedly did by waiting for Francis to leave and no longer be champ is what GSP did when he waited for the weakest MW champ in Bisping to win