UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s rumored move to the welterweight division has a big obstacle in its way.
Islam Makhachev hasn’t fought since defending the UFC lightweight belt against Renato Moicano at UFC 311 earlier this year. After defeating Moicano, Makhachev hinted at an upcoming move to welterweight, despite his teammate Belal Muhammad holding the top spot in the division.
Makhachev and Muhammad have both expressed disinterest in facing each other in a potential champion vs. champion super fight. Under the tutelage of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, both Makhachev and Muhammad have benefited from their time training together, and Nurmagomedov is firmly against a potential fight booking.
As Makhachev and his team ponder a potential showdown with Ilia Topuria for his UFC lightweight championship, the lightweight king casts a shadow over the upcoming UFC 315 main event. Muhammad will defend the welterweight belt against Jack Della Maddalena, and it’s been proposed that the winner could face Makhachev next.
Belal Muhammad doubles down on dismissing Islam Makhachev fight, complicating P4P king’s plans
But Muhammad has proposed a potential move up to middleweight, vacating his welterweight title, to avoid a showdown with Makhachev and clear the way for his friend and teammate. Amidst the uncertainty of Makhachev’s next fight, the Muhammad fight talks have resurfaced, prompting a response from the welterweight titleholder.
During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Muhammad was asked about potentially putting his friendship with Makhachev aside to meet in the Octagon.
“No, I wouldn’t fight him,” Muhammad assured. “That time, they’ve done so much for me, they’ve helped me so much that it wouldn’t be worth it to fight those guys. There’s too much respect and loyalty on my end…I think people are just wondering and hoping for him to fight, looking for any excuses for him, right? There are guys in that division who make sense. Justin Gaethje makes sense…
“Paddy Pimblett came off a huge finish, he has a big name…Charles Oliveira is waiting for a rematch…there’s plenty of guys. I think Ilia [Topuria] needs to fight somebody before he gets that title shot, because it’s not really worth it for Islam to fight another [featherweight] because no matter what they do, people are going to hate on Islam.”
Makhachev has several potential lightweight title challengers waiting in the wings, including rematches with Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, along with a showdown with Paddy Pimblett. But Makhachev has repeatedly expressed the difficulty of cutting down to 155 lbs, opening up the door to a welterweight weight class change.
Of note: Makhachev has never missed weight in his UFC career.
- READ MORE: Joe Rogan declares featherweight star a ‘future world champion’ after wild finish at UFC 314
Islam Makhachev labeled ‘an absolute disaster’ for top UFC welterweights
In the meantime, Makhachev’s potential addition to the welterweight division prompted a top contender to share a surprising take. Ian Machado Garry, who faces Carlos Prates this weekend at UFC Kansas City, called Makhachev ‘an absolute disaster’ for the top welterweights and admitted he’d be okay with Makhachev skipping the line for an immediate title shot.
First things first for Muhammad as he prepares to face Maddalena at UFC 315 in his first welterweight title defense. He won the belt by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304 last July.
Makhachev’s next fight is one of the biggest mysteries of MMA, as of this writing, as summer quickly approaches. We could learn more in the coming weeks about what the matchmakers will do with Makhachev and many other top stars.
- READ MORE: Islam Makhachev tabbed as an ‘absolute disaster’ for the top UFC welterweights by star contender