Khamzat Chimaev weighed in on UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s potential bulking up for a move to middleweight.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev wants a shot at two-weight world championship status after his most recent lightweight title defense at UFC 311. Not long after making quick work of Renato Moicano in the UFC 311 main event, Makhachev turned his attention to potentially moving up to 185lbs to challenge for the middleweight championship, a 30-pound bulk-up.
Makhachev snapped his longtime friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s lightweight title defense record with his win over Moicano. Nurmagomedov, a UFC Hall of Famer, never fought for a second divisional world title during his illustrious career.
Makhachev is looking to separate himself from many other all-time greats by earning a second belt. But Chimaev, who successfully made the full-time move from welterweight to middleweight, doesn’t believe it’ll produce positive results.
Khamzat Chimaev warns Islam Makhachev against middleweight move
In a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, Chimaev reacted to Makhachev’s remarks about a move to the middleweight division.
“If he wants to, let him do it. If it’s du Plessis or not, Islam can fight anyone,” Chimaev said. “It’s just about his capabilities. I will fight anyone I want as well. If Islam gets his shot, let him fight for it. If not, what can I say?
“I don’t think they will let him jump two weight divisions. He’d better fight at 170, this is my opinion. As for 185, I’m the king here for now.”
Chimaev will likely get the next middleweight title shot against Dricus du Plessis after the latter’s successful title defense at UFC 312. He most recently defeated former titleholder Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 to catapult up the middleweight rankings.
Du Plessis has repeatedly warned Makhachev against a middleweight move. But the two pound-for-pound stars could potentially be on a collision course, especially if Makhachev passes a shot at the current UFC welterweight champion.
Islam Makhachev’s ‘champ-champ’ pursuit complicated by Team Khabib teammate
Makhachev’s teammate, Belal Muhammad, currently holds the UFC welterweight title. Both sides dismissed a potential fight amidst Makhachev’s ‘champ-champ’ comments, and Makhachev admitted Muhammad ‘complicated’ his welterweight plans.
Nurmagomedov also says his ‘heart is not okay’ with Makhachev and Muhammad clashing in a future fight. Despite initial hesitance, Makhachev creaked the door open to face Muhammad when asked to compare a possible fight with featherweight champion Ilia Topuria.
In the meantime, Makhachev and Chimaev have differing views on the lightweight champ’s potential addition to the middleweight division. Time will tell if their paths will cross as both embark on similar pursuits.
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