Islam Makhachev made short work of Renato Moicano at UFC 311 but it is a victory that will live long in the memory.
Moicano, a late replacement for the injured Arman Tsarukyan, was the latest victim to be on the receiving end of a Makhachev mauling, wisely tapping inside the first round before he lost consciousness in a D'Arce choke.
With his arm raised Makhachev extended his win streak to 15 fights and also moved ahead of legends BJ Penn, Benson Henderson, Frankie Edgar and Khabib Nurmagomedov with a record fourth title defence of the UFC lightweight belt.
Khabib was in Makhachev's corner in Inglewood, California, to witness his protege's latest display of cage dominance, no doubt impressed with a wrestling game arguably as good as his own during his prime.
There is now a legitimate argument that Makhachev's achievements in UFC have surpassed those of his mentor, a name always in the conversation when the discussion of the greatest of all time crops up.
Khabib walked away from Mixed Martial Arts in 2020, keeping a promise to his mother following the passing of his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
His final fight took place inside the octagon in Abu Dhabi with Khabib applying a triangle choke to Justin Gaethje to give him a perfect 29-0 professional record.
It's hard to think of Hall-of-Famer Khabib losing a round during his distinguished career, but it's fair to say the standard of opponent in racking up those 29 wins deserves further scrutiny.
Khabib's crowning glory was submitting a prime Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in Las Vegas. The brash Irishman was riding a 15-fight win streak and had transformed the sport with his outrageous antics and fearsome striking.
McGregor had no answer to Khabib's takedown prowess, and the ugly scenes that followed the fourth round stoppage will live on in infamy.
Khabib followed that triumph with a victory over Dustin Poirier, again in Abu Dhabi. While few doubt the American contender's heart and courage, his career will be remembered as a challenger who came close, but not close enough to securing UFC gold.
The only other legitimate world champion on Khabib's CV is Rafael dos Anjos, who held the lightweight belt from March 2015 to July 2016. If we factor in Gaethje's interim title belt, that would make it three champions Khabib disposed off.
Of course, gold isn't everything, and to dismiss wins over fighters of the ilk of Poirier, Al Iaquinta and Edson Barbosa would be folly. Whether it's a question of standard in the division or purposely avoiding opponents, Khabib's place in the pantheon of greats comes with a "but".
By comparison, Makhachev is well on his way to adding his own name to the GOAT conversation. While there may be question marks over his striking, his wrestling and grappling are next level.
Considered the organisation's pound-for-pound best, a title bestowed on him by UFC president Dana White no less, Makhachev has also shown guile and gumption in overcoming adversity in the octagon.
An epic rematch with Alexander Volkanovski was settled when the Russian nearly took the Australian's head off with a kick in the headline bout of UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. The first battle was much more contentious, with many believing the smaller Volkanovski (the Australian stepped up from featherweight in a bid to become a two-weight champ) edged it. The judges thought otherwise.
Abu Dhabi was the scene of Makhachev becoming lightweight champion, when Charles Oliveira tapped after being caught in an arm triangle. As the owner of the most tap-outs in UFC history (16), the Brazilian knows a thing or two about submissions. The haste in which he ended the fight was telling; when Makhachev squeezes, it can feel as hopeless as fighting off an anaconda.
A third successive title defence came after riding a flurry of Poirier punches for most of five rounds before Makhachev cleverly swept his opponent off balance and applied a brabo choke. Poirier briefly lost consciousness, cementing Makhachev's reputation as one of the most fearsome finishers in the sport.
Victory over Moicano has not necessarily elevated Makhachev's standing, just reinforced the notion that, when it comes to the greatest 115-pounder of all time, the Russian's case is hard to argue against.
