Islam Makhachev's manager has revealed the 'UFC plan' for his star client's next fight.
The lightweight champion was originally booked to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan before the Armenian withdrew from his first UFC title fight on Friday after suffering a back injury.
On Saturday night, Makhachev defeated his late replacement opponent, Renato Moicano, in the first round to break the 155-pound defense record and ultimately earn his place atop Dana White's pound-for-pound list.
What's next? The man himself suggested it could be a fight with middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis – but there are far more likely options available at the moment.
Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG
Three opponents excluded for Islam Makhachev
Arman Tsarukyan remains the top contender at lightweight, but UFC boss Dana White has made it clear he will have to work his way back into contention after withdrawing from UFC 311.
A rematch with Charles Oliveira, who he defeated to become champion at UFC 280 in October 2022, seems like the best option when you look at the 155lbs rankings.
Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has talked about moving up in weight, and he would certainly be an intriguing opponent if Makhachev has essentially cleaned up his division in recent years.
According to Ali Abdelaziz, Tsarukyan, Oliveira and Topuria have all been immediately ruled out by the UFC, who have already started preparations for Makhachev's next fight.
“The UFC has a completely different plan for Islam that does not involve Oliveira, Arman or Ilia,” the MMA manager tweeted on Sunday. “But it is an unpredictable sport and you don't know what can happen.”
Abdelaziz then named two lightweight contenders who could be next for Makhachev.
He added: “If @Justin_Gaethje beats [Dann] Hooker, he could easily be next. As @beneildarush
beats Poirier, he could be next too. These would be two new names that Islam has not yet fought against.”
Khamzat Chimaev doubts Islam Makhachev at 185 pounds
Rumors that Makhachev would compete 30 pounds above his current weight class have been circulating for a while, and Khamzat Chimaev has made his feelings clear about the potential move.
'Borz' thinks Makhachev will have a hard time in his division. The 30-year-old recently explained why he thinks Khabib Nurmagomedov is better suited at 185 pounds than his protégé.
“Well, if that's what Islam wants, and [Ali] Abdelaziz wants, let him go and try,” Chimaev told Aslanbek Badaev.
“I don't know. About Islam I can't answer now as I didn't train with him.
'Maybe it's possible, maybe not. If anyone could move to 170 or 185, it would be Khabib. As for Islam, I have my doubts because of his last battle [against Dustin Poirier] at 155. It was hard for him.
“Although I had a tough fight with Gilbert Buns, I moved up to 185 and it was easier there. Maybe Islam will have the same situation. He could move up and it will be much easier. Only the Octagon can show it.”
Related topics
Comments