Is Islam Makhachev destined to change into the first-ever three-weight UFC champion?
So far, there have solely been 9 fighters within the promotion’s 30+ 12 months historical past who’ve captured gold in two totally different divisions: Randy Couture, BJ Penn, Georges St-Pierre, Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, Amanda Nunes, Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, and Alex Pereira.
And whereas solely 4 of them held their two belts concurrently, none of them ever went on to seize a 3rd world title.
But when there’s one man who can do it, it’s reigning light-weight king Islam Makhachev. Not less than, that’s what legendary MMA coach Javier Mendez thinks.
“Yeah, I might say he has that potential,” Mendez instructed The Schmo. “He undoubtedly does—100%. He has the flexibility, the mindset, and the work ethic. He can undoubtedly do this if that’s his want and the UFC permits him to go there. So sure, I can see that taking place.”
Mendez is sort of aware of Makhachev’s abilities contained in the cage having labored with him and his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, for a few years on the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California.
Mendez believes Islam makhachev would don’t have any points shifting as much as middleweight
If Makhachev actually desires to etch his title within the historical past books because the UFC’s first-ever three-division champion, his subsequent activity will probably be to take the welterweight title, although some consider Makhachev would don’t have any subject skipping the following weight class up and going straight to middleweight.
“I 100% really feel Islam can do this if that’s what he needed to do,” Mendez stated when requested about Makhachev’s potential transfer to 185. “However, it’s what he desires to try this will occur. Not his capability. His capability, I imply, come on. I see it within the fitness center, guys. I see it, so I understand how good this man is. So, yeah, 185 will not be gonna be a problem for him. It’s a matter of whether or not he desires to.
“When he is available in coaching camp he’s all the time strolling round 179, 180,” Mendez stated. “So, clearly, if he ever went to middleweight he’d should placed on some muscle. However, not saying he can’t and never saying he gained’t or he doesn’t need it. I don’t know, we’ve by no means mentioned it” (h/t BJPenn.com).
Earlier than the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ can concern himself with difficult for one more title, he’ll should get previous the division’s top-ranked contender, Arman Tsarukyan. Akhalkalakets’ earned the fitting to be subsequent consistent with back-to-back wins in opposition to Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira, extending his unbeaten streak to 4.
Makhachev and Tsarukyan will meet within the UFC 311 headliner on January 18 when the promotion heads to the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles for the primary pay-per-view of 2025.
