Islam Makhachev has been tipped to progress through the divisions and become world champion, 30 pounds higher than where he currently holds the title.
The Dagestani lightweight has been a dominant champion at 155 pounds and could break the division record for title defenses if he defeats Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311. But with his teammate Belal Muhammad holding the welterweight belt, a potential move up might be the only should be a solution. way up to 185 pounds.
Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has consistently defied the odds on his path to the world title and is now known as one of the best fighters in the world. But Makhachev is now being told he could be the man to dethrone the South African.
Islam Makhachev is unlikely to fight Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title
Despite never losing weight during his UFC career, there has been a feeling in the last few fights that Islam Makhachev's days might be limited at 155 pounds. He has had to hit the towel on the scales on a regular basis and it is believed he could make a big impression at welterweight.
However, he is unlikely to want to face Belal Muhammad, and his coach Javier Mendez believes it is generally up to the UFC when it comes to Makhachev's career. The AKA supremo told The Schmo: “I think as long as Belal is where he is, I don't think Islam will rise.
'No way, and I could be wrong because he could make the decision himself. But I think as long as that's there, he doesn't want that. But the UFC can also decide what they want, they can reject or encourage your chance to move up.
“They actually have a lot of say in what happens with his career because he just won't say no if they offer him an opponent. So if they want him to gain weight, that's something he could say no to, but I don't know if he wants that or not, it just hasn't happened yet.
Islam Makhachev backed to move up weights to dethrone Dricus Du Plessis
Mendez hasn't talked to his fighter about the possibility of moving up two divisions, but believes he could. The main issue would be gaining weight, with the coach noting that he's coming into camp well under the 185-pound limit.
“I am 100 percent convinced that Islam can do that [move up to middleweight] if that's what he wanted to do,” he continued. “But it's what he wants to do that will happen, not his abilities. His ability, come on, I see it in the gym.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
“I know how good this guy is, so 185 pounds won't be a problem for him, it's a matter of if he wants it. He comes into training camp and he always weighs around 179 to 180 pounds, so if he ever moved up to middleweight, he would obviously have to put on some muscle mass.
“I'm not saying he can't do it, I'm not saying he won't do it. I don't know because we never talked about it. We've discussed welterweight, but again, as long as Belal is around, I just don't see that happening.”
Related posts
Comments