Islam Makhachev is maintaining his choices open with regards to conquering a second division.
The reigning UFC light-weight champion lately broke the promotional report for many profitable defenses of the 155-pound title with a one-sided submission win over short-notice substitute Renato Moicano at UFC 311. Makhachev was initially scheduled to struggle Arman Tsarukyan, however Tsarukyan withdrew because of a again harm lower than 48 hours earlier than struggle evening and UFC CEO Dana White mentioned he doesn’t plan to re-book that matchup immediately.
That leaves Makhachev with no apparent opponent for his subsequent title protection, so MMA Preventing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter has his eyes on changing into a two-division champion. His good friend and typically coaching associate Belal Muhammad at present guidelines the welterweight roost, which suggests Makhachev is prepared to leap up another weight class to face Dricus du Plessis as an alternative, if the chance arises.
“My peak permits [a move to middleweight],” Makhachev informed Ushatayka. “I feel my bodily information permits it, too. I simply have to work with my specialists, acquire muscle mass, add just a little weight. I feel I can attempt. As I already mentioned on the press convention after the struggle, in the event that they provided it to me tomorrow and say they’ll give me time to realize weight, I might not flip it down. I might one hundred pc conform to struggle at middleweight.
“I’m not saying that I’ve a greater likelihood, that I can one hundred pc end du Plessis, however watching his fights, watching his model, I feel I’ve the keys to victory.”
Islam Makhachev talks a transfer to 185:
“My peak permits it, I feel my bodily information permits it too…
I’m not saying that I can 100% end Du Plessis. However watching his fights, watching his model, I feel I’ve the keys to victory.”
Ushataykapic.twitter.com/rK2N3mUYof
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 26, 2025
Makhachev has been on an unimaginable run since struggling his lone loss to Adriano Martins in October 2015. He has gained 15 straight fights, together with 5 championship bouts, and his report stands at 27-1.
Du Plessis has confirmed to be simply as indomitable. The South African star is 7-0 within the UFC, together with his previous three wins being title struggle victories over middleweight greats Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Robert Whittaker. He’s at present set to rematch Strickland at UFC 312 on Feb. 8 in Sydney.
