Islam Makhachev is shifting as much as welterweight to turn out to be a two-division champion and he’s already benefiting from his determination in combat camp.
In the primary occasion of UFC 322 on Nov. 15 at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York, Makhachev fights champion Jack Della Maddalena with the 170-pound title on the road. Makhachev started 2025 on the high of the light-weight heap and after a profitable title protection in opposition to Renato Moicano in January, he made the choice to maneuver up from 155 kilos to tackle Della Maddalena.
Makhachev spoke to ESPN in regards to the adjustments he’s needed to make to accommodate the bounce to welterweight and he’s assured a much less strenuous weight lower will profit him on combat night time.
“Nobody who cuts, like, 10 kg. [approx. 22 pounds], greater than 10 kg., they by no means recuperate one hundred pc,” Makhachev mentioned. “I nonetheless really feel I recuperate for the combat, like, perhaps 70, 60 p.c, as a result of it’s so onerous to recuperate in 30 hours. Now, I’m very excited to see how I’m going to really feel within the cage.”
If Makhachev was diminished at light-weight, it was troublesome to inform based mostly on his performances. After shedding in his UFC debut to Adriano Martins again in October 2015, Makhachev has rattled off 15 straight victories, together with 5 straight wins in light-weight title fights. His professional document stands at 27-1.
It’s within the later rounds in opposition to Della Maddalena that Makhachev expects his bodily change to pay dividends probably the most.
“Let’s see after the second spherical if it occurs,” Makhachev mentioned. “After the second spherical, after the third spherical, like champion’s rounds. Let’s see as a result of I already really feel it within the camp. How is my my restoration, how is my feeling after the third spherical? I feel it’s going to be one thing new for me.”
As all the time, Makhachev can have UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov in his nook. Makhachev has lengthy been thought to be the religious successor to Nurmagomedov, who went 29-0 in his profession primarily using his wrestling to floor, neutralize, and dominate opponents.
If all the things goes in accordance with Nurmagomedov’s gameplan, Makhachev will do the very same factor to Della Maddalena on combat night time.
“It’s not a secret,” Makhachev mentioned. “[Nurmagomedov] informed me take him down, attempt to take him down and make him drained. I feel I can end him on the bottom. I can choke him, do an armbar, one thing. I noticed his abilities on the bottom. He’s good, however I’ve one thing extra.”
