One name only stood for Khabib Nurmagomedov when discussing what could be the most difficult test of Islam Makhacheve.
UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has no shortage of options for his next Octagon performance, including a potential switch to Welterweight. Makhachev has long plagued an increase in weight, but that is further complicated by the reign of his teammate Belal Muhammad about the Welterweight division.
For the time being Makhachev will continue to defeat the UFC light weight division in the midst of his run as the pound-for-pound king of the UFC. After completing Renato Moicano in the Main Event of UFC 311, many have debated who will present the biggest obstacle for the Makhachev's title line.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, the old friend and mentor of Makhachev, believes that there are various intriguing challenges for the next test of the lightweight champion.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Khabib Nurmagomedov determines the potential most difficult test of Islam Makhachev
Such a proposed test is former UFC Vederweight Champion Ilia Topuria, who left the 145 LB title for a full-time transition to lightweight. Paddy Pimblett also made a strong thing for a title shot after entering the top 10 after his victory over Michael Chandler last Saturday.
But neither Pimblett nor Topuria present the difficulty level that is one of the former enemies of Makhachev, according to Nurmagomedov.
During a recent interview with Adam Zubayraev, Nurmagomedov explained why he believes that Arman Tsarukyan is a more difficult challenge than Topuria for the next fight by Makhachev.
“My personal opinion – not necessarily [more] dangerous, say more competitive – I think it's that [Arman] Tsarukyan, “Nurmagomedov said about the next potential fight by Makhachev. “I think Arman is a more serious hunter than Topuria. Topuria is a good hunter at 145, but we didn't see him at 155. I believe that Arman is more competitive for Islam than Topuria.
“I don't know what kind of similarities Topuria and the UFC had, but on the part of Islam he already gave two title shots to 145 champions,” Nurmagomedov continued. “Both times, Islam won. Now a third time – ok, let's imagine that Topuria is going up and a title shot gets immediately, Islam hits him and then fights Topuria again, he loses again. So he actually loses [a] Nobody at 155.
“Islam defeated a man who was no one at 155. That is why, in terms of inheritance for Islam, for his CV, I also understand the risks of Islam. That is why Islam says let him fight, let him become a real competition.” (H/T MMA Fighting)
Makhachev surpassed Tsarukyan by a unanimous decision in the UFC debut of the latter in 2019. The two light weights should rematch on UFC 311, before Tsarukyan took off hours of termination due to a back injury.
The coach of Islam Makhachev made a surprising choice for his next opponent
Makhachev's old coach Javier Mendez does not agree with the position of Nurmagomedov. In a recent interview, Mendez argued for Pimblett to get the next lightweight title shot after his performance at UFC 314.
Dustin Poirier has raised a matchup for Pimblett and an opinion that Pimblett should face his former rival than Hooker for a potential no. 1 candidate -matchup. Hooker was supposed to fight on UFC 313 against Justin Gaethje before he withdrew because of injury.
Gaethje is also in the mix after beating Rafael Fiziev on UFC 313, and is one of the few top candidates who have not had to deal with Makhachev during his career. Gaethje is 0-2 in linear UFC title fights, including a loss in the UFC final of Nurmagomedov at UFC 254.
Comments