Fight fans eagerly anticipate the next move of the pound-for-Pond Koning.
Islam Makhachev has several different paths that he could fall for his second outing of 2025 with large options on the table.
The lightweight champion openly spoke about wanting to move to Welterweight, but this has become complicated with the current title holder Belal Muhammad who does not want to fight against Makhachev.
Among other things, among others, on 155 pounds such as Justin Gaethje, the fight that most fans want to see, is Ilia Topuria versus Makhachev now that the former Federweight champion has raised a weight class.
At the age of 33, the Russian champion has already achieved remarkable things, but his coach is convinced that he can continue to bring his stock to new heights in the near future.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Javier Mendez says that Jon Jones and Demetrious Johnson are currently for his at Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev is today the Pound-for-Pound number one hunter in the sport for a good reason.
It is not only his record that this supports, it is the way of his versions with the lightweight champion that proves that he is an incredibly dangerous operator where the fight takes place.
In recent years in particular, fans have seen in particular that have become a more respected weapon, which has opened the conversation of whether he is one of the most rounded hunters of all time.
His wrestling game does not have to have an introduction, but seeing Makhachev strike with people like Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier showed that he is far from a pony of one trick.
During a recent episode of his podcast, the Javier & Mo show, the coach of Makhachevin explained why he only refers to his hunter as the most well-rounded in the history of his division.
Javier Mendez believes that there are two legendary champions who currently occupy the top spots because they are the best mixed martial artists of all time, but he is convinced that the lightweight king can threaten these positions if he continues to compete.
“I said that he is the most well -completed hunter in the lightweight division. The reason why I am not going forever is only because of Demetrious (Johnson). I think Demetrious is incredible. Jon Jones is another incredibly well -rounded man, but in the lightweight division I can easily say that ISLAM Makhachev is.
“But to say about everyone, there are two boys who fight for that title and that is Jon Jones and that is Demetrious, but Islam in that category is incredible because he goes at the pace, if he continues, he could very well be the goat.”
Islam Makhachev is fighting to be the greatest lightweight of all time
It is very difficult to claim that Islam Makhachev is not the most well-rounded lightweight of all time, but there are other former champions who are in the race to be the best 155 pounds it ever does.
BJ Penn has achieved great things in multiple weight classes, but for many fans the argument comes down to Makhachev or his good friend, teammate and coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
After his victory over Renato Moicano in January, the current champion has the record for the most successive title defense, while 'The Eagle' has the advantage that he will remain unbeaten throughout his career.
As Mendez stated, Makhachev will probably have an even stronger thing if he continues to fight for a number of years where he could deliver even more performance.