On Saturday, August 20, Bilyal Makhov will take part in 125kg freestyle wrestling tournament as one of the division's favorite to win. Once the 2016 Summer Games come to an end, the Dagestan native plans to make his UFC debut.
Makhov, who is yet to make his professional mixed martial arts debut, signed with the UFC in 2015 as one of the most anticipated heavyweight additions in recent memory. He is a multiple time World Champion, and a bronze medalist at the Olympics.
Yet while it may be months before Makhov makes his first appearance in the Octagon, UFC color commentator Joe Rogan is excited about this addition to the heavyweight division.
"There's this Russian dude who's gonna join the ranks of MMA after the Olympics," said Rogan, as transcribed by Craziest Sports Fights (h/t MMA Underground). "This dude is so good, he's so technical and so f***in stupid-strong... his f***in takedowns are ruthless. He runs through guys!
"Watch this motherf***er wrestle. He's so f***ing fast and so big and so strong, and when he gets to MMA, he's running through motherf***ers. You are not stopping his takedown!"
In 2015, Makhov attempted to become the first wrestler in over four decades to win gold medals in both freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling at the same World Championships. Based solely on his prior achievements, Makhov was allowed to compete in both styles, even though he had only trained in Greco-Roman for no more than a few short months. He earned bronze medals in both styles that year and became the first wrestler in 43 years to medal in both freestyle and Greco Roman.
"Guys that become that level world champion at anything that's combat sport related, they figure it out, man. It's like he's trying to grab people as he's punching them," said Rogan. "He's such a big f***ing gorilla though, he could just haymaker on you.
"He's definitely gotta work on his kicks too but hey, man, he's a super athlete. ... He probably could get better in a month."
Makhov prepared for his eventual MMA debut during his time with K Dojo Tribe in New Jersey last year. Under the tutelage of Murat Keshtov, who also trains Alexander Yakovlev and Marina Moroz. Makhov, however, is an entirely different specimen.
"This is a big motherf***er. You do not want this guy hitting you."