Islam Makhachev’s manager has revealed the ‘UFC plan’ for his star client’s next fight.
The lightweight champion was originally booked to defend his belt against Arman Tsarukyan before the Armenian withdrew from his first UFC title fight on Friday after suffering a back injury.
On Saturday night, Makhachev ran through his late-replacement opponent, Renato Moicano, in the first round to break the 155lb defense record and finally earn his place atop Dana White’s pound-for-pound list.
What’s next? The man himself suggested it could be a fight with middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis – but there are much more likely options available right now.
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Three opponents ruled out for Islam Makhachev
Arman Tsarukyan remains the top contender at lightweight, but UFC boss Dana White has made it clear he will have to work his way back into contention after pulling out of UFC 311.
A rematch with Charles Oliveira, who he beat to become champion at UFC 280 in October 2022, seems like the next best option if you look at the 155lbs rankings.
Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has discussed a move up in weight, and he would certainly be an intriguing opponent with Makhachev essentially cleaning out his division in recent years.
According to Ali Abdelaziz, Tsarukyan, Oliveira, and Topuria have all been immediately ruled out by the UFC, who have already started preparing for Makhachev’s next fight.
“The UFC has a completely different plan for Islam which doesn’t include Oliveira, Arman, or Ilia,” the MMA manager tweeted on Sunday. “But it’s an unpredictable sport and you don’t know what could happen.”
Abdelaziz subsequently mentioned two lightweight contenders who could be next for Makhachev.
He added: “If @Justin_Gaethje beats [Dann] Hooker he can be easily next. If @beneildariush
beats Poirier he can also be next. These would be 2 new names that Islam hasn’t fought yet.”
Khamzat Chimaev doubts Islam Makhachev at 185lbs
Rumors about Makhachev competing 30lbs above his current weight class have been swirling for some time, and Khamzat Chimaev has made his feelings clear on the potential move.
‘Borz’ thinks Makhachev would struggle in his division. The 30-year-old recently explained why he feels Khabib Nurmagomedov is more suited to 185lbs than his protégé.
“Well, if Islam wants to, and [Ali] Abdelaziz wants, let him go and try,” Chimaev told Aslanbek Badaev.
“I don’t know. I can’t give an answer about Islam now as I haven’t trained with him.
“Maybe it’s possible, maybe not. If anyone could move to 170 or 185, it would be Khabib. As for Islam, if have my doubts because of his last fight [against Dustin Poirier] at 155. It was tough for him.
“Although I had a tough fight with Gilbert Buns, then I moved up to 185 and it was easier there. Maybe Islam will have the same situation. He might move up and it will become much easier. Only the Octagon can show.”