Javier Mendez believes Islam Makhachev is on a collision course with both Kamaru Usman or Ilia Topuria.
This Saturday, Makhachev strikes as much as 170 kilos to problem Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title at UFC 322. Ought to he win, Makhachev will turn into the eleventh two-division champion in UFC historical past, and cement himself as probably the greatest fighters of this technology. However his coach, Javier Mendez, is aware of that’s a tall process.
“I do know what we’re coping with. We’re coping with a hell of a champion, that we respect,” Mendez instructed Submission Radio. “We have now an enormous quantity of respect for him. Myself, personally, I watched the struggle between him and Belal Muhammad seven instances, and I’ve by no means performed that with anyone. Seven instances I watched it. That’s quite a bit, as a result of I respect him. He’s good, man. He’s good. I consider we’re going to beat him, however we’re doing our homework. This man is sweet, he’s actually good.”
However for nearly as good as “JDM” is, Mendez believes his cost is healthier. Makhachev has been undefeated for almost a decade, and is at the moment driving a 15-fight win streak within the UFC, second-most all-time. Ought to he beat Della Maddalena on Saturday, Makhachev will tie Anderson Silva’s report for many consecutive UFC wins, and Mendez believes Makhachev is in nice form to do exactly that.
“He’s improved all over the place; the get up, the bottom, the conditioning, the mentality, you identify it,” Mendez mentioned. “This one, he’s eclipsed another camp I’ve ever been with him. That is the very best camp that I’ve ever seen him do with us. I’ve by no means witnessed him being this sturdy, this mentally ready, and this hungry. He’s this hungry. So I do know what I’ve and we’ve got a hell of a challenger for that welterweight title, and I actually, strongly consider we’re going to take that title. However it ain’t gonna be simple.”
But when Makhachev does win the welterweight title, the query then turns into, what subsequent? The welterweight division is at the moment among the many most loaded within the sport, with a logjam of contenders on the high proper now. However Mendez thinks one man stands above the remainder.
“The one man I feel in all probability deserves it greater than all people, based mostly on his title run when he was the champ, is Kamaru Usman,” Mendez mentioned. “Look what he simply did with [Joaquin] Buckley. He stopped the hype prepare, and did it in spectacular style. So I might suppose that his hat has acquired to be in there as a contender for that title. His title run, being the best welterweight of all time, in my view, has acquired to be in there, too.
“For us, it could suck, as a result of we care in regards to the man, too. However it’s a enterprise, and no matter goes to occur goes to occur. Even Belal [Muhammad], it’s what it’s. We didn’t need to struggle Belal, however what if Belal wins and we win and rapidly we get supplied a struggle with him? It’s going to be as much as the fighters to resolve, however it’s going to suck for us on each of these, if any of these occur.”
And if it’s not Usman, Mendez thinks the opposite choice that makes essentially the most sense is a champ-champ matchup with Ilia Topuria. That struggle has been some of the talked about hypothetical matchups in recent times, however fell aside when Makhachev moved as much as 170. However with the UFC trying to make a giant splash with the White Home card subsequent yr, Mendez thinks it could make sense.
“When you’re asking me what the followers are going to need to see, I’m going to should go together with Topuria,” Mendez mentioned. “If we handle to get the win like we’re anticipating and eager to, I might suppose that Dana is all about creating essentially the most, largest buzz, and I feel the most important buzz is Topuria, if he goes up in weight. If that’s what occurs.
“So proper now, I can see so many alternative eventualities taking place, however these two are the highest of the checklist, in my view.”
Fantasy. Francis Ngannou: Jon Jones matchup at UFC White Home could be ‘largest struggle of all-time.’
Targets. ‘Put him again in his place’: Jack Della Maddalena desires to show Islam Makhachev doesn’t belong at welterweight.
Breakdown. Dustin Poirier breaks down UFC 322 most important occasion between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev.
Guilt. ‘Responsible by affiliation’: Steve Garcia laments how fight-fixing allegations damage all people after he beat Isaac Dulgarian’s teammate.
Enhance. Paramount+ worth improve coming in 2026 as UFC broadcast deal kicks off.
The most effective UFC fights at MSG (undecided about that first one….)
Alexander Volkanovski dives deep into steak.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Stipe Miocic likes to get together.
And arguably on the very best run of her profession.
Refreshing self-awareness.
Dillon Danis (3-0) vs. Anthony Taylor (7-5); Misfits Mania, Dec. 20.
I’m not saying it’s 0%, however I’m skeptical the UFC would permit Topuria to maneuver as much as a weight class he would don’t have any life like shot at reigning in. Not so quickly, anyway.
Nope, this actually appears like everyone seems to be on the identical web page and the plan is for Makhachev vs. Usman, if Islam wins the title. Which might be a fairly horrible title shot, within the historical past of issues, however I suppose not the worst that’s ever been handed out. Brutal for the opposite 7 deserving dudes at 170 kilos although.
When you discover one thing you’d wish to see within the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and tell us about it. Additionally, comply with MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Fb.
