Prime π·πΊ Islam Makhachev (29-1) π Prime π¨π¦ George St. Pierre (26-2) π Who winsβοΈ
A fan-driven poll is asking MMA followers to settle one of the sport's most popular hypothetical debates: who wins if a prime Islam Makhachev meets a prime Georges St-Pierre? The matchup is imaginary, with no bout planned or discussed, but the numbers on each man make the question easy to argue.
Makhachev, a Russian southpaw who trains with Eagles MMA, is 29-1 and currently the welterweight champion. He is 35 years old. His most recent recorded fight came on August 15, 2026, when he beat Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision over five rounds in a title fight at UFC 330. That followed another five-round unanimous decision over Jack Della Maddalena in November 2025, and a first-round submission of Renato Moicano in January 2025. He lands 2.27 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, and averages 3.22 takedowns per 15 minutes.
St-Pierre, the Canadian known as "Rush" who came up at Tristar Gym, is 26-2 and is now 45. His most recent recorded fight was a third-round submission of Michael Bisping in November 2017 to win a title at UFC 217. Before that he took a split decision over Johny Hendricks in November 2013 and a unanimous decision over Nick Diaz in March 2013, both five-round title fights. He lands 3.78 significant strikes per minute at 53 percent accuracy, with 4.16 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
How the numbers compare
- Reach and height: St-Pierre is six-foot (180 cm) with a 76-inch (193 cm) reach; Makhachev is five-foot-ten (178 cm) with a 70-inch (178 cm) reach. That is a six-inch reach edge, or 15 cm, for the Canadian.
- Striking: St-Pierre's output is higher, at 3.78 landed per minute against 2.27, while Makhachev is more accurate, 58 percent to 53 percent.
- Grappling: St-Pierre averages 4.16 takedowns per 15 minutes to Makhachev's 3.22, and 1.1 submission attempts to 0.9.
The profile is unusual: two wrestling-centered champions whose career averages sit close together, which is much of why the question divides fans. The poll itself carries no official weight, and the career figures above are measured over very different eras and competition.
