UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev's rumors to the Welterweight Division has a big obstacle in its own way.
Islam Makhachev has not fought anymore since he defended the UFC light weight belt against Renato Moicano on UFC 311 earlier this year. After beating Moicano, Makhachev hinted on a coming step to Welterweight, despite the fact that his teammate Belal Muhammad held the first place in the division.
Makhachev and Muhammad have expressed both disinterest to see each other in a potential champion versus SUPER Fight Champion. Under the custody of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, both Makhachev and Muhammad have benefited from their time training together, and Nurmagomedov is firm against a potential fighting booking.
While Makhachev and his team think about a potential confrontation with Ilia Topuria for his UFC Lightweight Championship, the Lightweight King casts a shadow over the upcoming UFC 315 Main Event. Muhammad will defend the welterweight belt against Jack della Maddalena, and it has been proposed that the winner could then be confronted to Makhakev.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Belal Muhammad doubles it to dismiss Islam Makhachev fight, with the plans of P4P King being complicated
But Muhammad has suggested a potential switch to the middleweight, leaving his welterweight title to prevent a confrontation with Makhachev and to clear the way for his friend and teammate. In the midst of the uncertainty of the next battle of Makhachev, the Muhammad Fight Talks have surfaced, which washes a reaction of the Welterweight title holder.
During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Muhammad was asked to put aside his friendship with Makhachev to meet each other in the Octagon.
“No, I wouldn't fight him,” Muhammad assured. “That time they did so much for me, they helped me so much that it would not be worth fighting those guys. There is too much respect and loyalty to my end … I think people just wonder and hope he is fighting, looking for some apologies for him, right?
“Paddy Pimblett came from a huge finish, he has a big name … Charles Oliveira is waiting for a rematch … There are many guys. I think Ilia Ilia [Topuria] Must fight someone before he gets that title shot, because it is not really worthwhile for Islam to combat someone else [featherweight] Because whatever they do, people will hate Islam. '
Makhachev has several potential lightweight title finances waiting in the wings, including Rematches with Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, along with a confrontation with Paddy Pimblett. But Makhachev has repeatedly pronounced the difficulty to lower to 155 pounds, so that the door is opened for a change of goodweight weight class.
Note: Makhachev has never missed the weight in his UFC career.
Islam Makhachev labeled 'an absolute disaster' for top UFC -Welterweight
In the meantime, the potential addition of Makhachev to the Welterweight Division has encouraged a top candidate to share a surprising view. Ian Machado Garry, who is facing Carlos Prates this weekend in UFC Kansas City, called Makhachev 'an absolute disaster' for the top weller weights and admitted that he would like to skip the line for an immediate title shot.
First things first for Muhammad while he is preparing for Maddalena on UFC 315 in his first welterweight title defense. He won De Riem by beating Leon Edwards on UFC 304 last July.
The next fight by Makhachev is one of the greatest mysteries in MMA, from this writing, because the summer is approaching quickly. In the coming weeks we could learn more about what the matchmakers will do with Makhachev and many other top stars.
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