Islam Makhachev may have his hands full in a welterweight fight vs. Jack della Maddalena.
The UFC lightweight champion and pound-for-pound #1 hunter on the planet has been thinking of a movement towards goodweight for a while and now that his friend Belal Muhammad is off the throne, it's time for him to finally dive into.
In the aftermath of UFC 315, Islam Makhachev will more than likely be confronted with new welterweight champion Jack della Maddalena after leaving his belt on Tuesday.
Makhachev is one of the most rounded hunters in MMA today with title profits on the current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and former featherweights Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano.
Although he is the best in the world in lightweight, a former UFC title challenger wonders how Makhachev's power will translate against considerable opponents on £ 170.
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Kenny Florian does not think that Islam Makhachev can withstand the power of Jack della Maddalena
UFC veteran and analyst Kenny Florian knows a few things about fighting in different weight classes.
Florian fought and lost to BJ Penn for the lightweight belt in 2009, and to Jose Aldo for the featherweight belt in 2011. Florian's teammate Aiemann Zahabi became revenge years later on UFC 315.
A alum of the most important season of 'The Ultimate Fighter' in 2005 Florian fought in the middleweight and welterweight in his UFC career.
Speaking about Makhachev's Welterweight against a harsh boxer in Della Maddalena:
“Based on his wrestling and good rounding and experience, I think he could certainly cause some problems for JDM,” said Florian about Makhachev on the Anik & Florian Podcast.
“I would say this, however – I don't think he could distribute the same level of power as some of the 170lbers, and I don't think he can take [or] resistant to the same kind of shots.
“I find it difficult to believe that there is a 155er in the world who could make the same kind of shots that Belal Muhammad took on that fight on Saturday evening. Belal currently has a legendary chin.
“There was a series of three right hands. I have chills that think about it ate [it]And he kept coming forward. I just thought, how the hell did he take one of that, let alone three? I don't see lightweight in the world that takes those photos.
Florian went on.
“I can't emphasize this enough. Every pound is important in this sport …
“There is a difference of 15 pounds between 155 and 170, not 10 pounds, and that is important for much,” said Florian.
How have other lightweight stars on welterweight carried out?
Over the years we have seen a number of light weights move to the Welterweight division, where some have found success.
Former UFC light weight champion Rafael Dos Anjos, for example, changed weight classes and won his first three fights in Welterweight against multi -year contenders and a former champion in Robbie Lawler.
This weekend's headliner Gilbert Burns was a lightweight that really made a name for himself in the Welterweight Division where he won four fights in a row to enter title conflicts versus all-time great Kamaru-usman.
Former lightweight title -Champion Kevin Lee also moved to good weight, but was not lucky. Lee went 0-3 in Welterweight performances.
Of course Makhachev is at a higher level than these hunters and the time will tell how he will deal with the power of Jack della Maddalena.