Khamzat Chimaev seriously doubts Islam Makhachev can compete at middleweight.
The former welterweight prospect moved up a class and looked better than when he knocked out ex-champ Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October.
Islam Makhachev is looking to move up two divisions after defending his lightweight title with a quick submission victory over Renato Moicano at UFC 311 on Saturday night.
Dana White's new pound-for-pound number one championed the opportunity to prove himself against middleweight king Dricus du Plessis, who will put his title on the line against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 next month.
Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG
Khamzat Chimaev considers Islam Makhachev to be 185 pounds
Rumors that Makhachev would compete 30 pounds above his current weight class have been circulating for a while, and 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.”
Islam Makhachev vs. Alex Pereira?
Makhachev completely ruled out a fight with Alex Pereira in the aftermath of UFC 311.
“No, it's too much,” he replied when asked about facing the UFC light heavyweight champion, who will face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8.
Makhachev distanced himself from the wild bout after his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, publicly backed him to move up to 205 pounds and become champion by defeating the Brazilian KO artist.
“I don't think a 155- to 185-pound guy can beat Islam Makhachev,” the MMA manager said. “It doesn't exist. I believe 155, 170, 185, I believe Islam can defeat anyone on any given day.
“This is what I believe in because of what he showed me: the development, the improvement. I think Islam will beat Alex Pereira at 205, I do too. I swear by Allah.
“I think Islam Makhachev will beat Alex Pereira. He's just going to take him down and finish him, subdue him. Alex Pereira can knock out anyone on the planet if he touches you, but I think Islam Makhachev is that good.
“I think he's one of the best fighters, the most complete fighter we've ever seen.”
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