Amid continued hyperlinks to a possible welterweight transfer in pursuit of an opportunity to grow to be a two-weight champion within the UFC, light-weight kingpin, Islam Makhachev may conceivably safe spoils as excessive because the middleweight restrict, together with his coach, claiming it might not be an “issue” for the Russian star.
Makhachev, the present undisputed light-weight champion and pound-for-pound primary ranked fighter underneath the banner of the promotion, will make his return in simply weeks time atop UFC 311, headlining the promotion’s return to Los Angeles in a flagship setting.
Reserving a rematch conflict in California, Makhachev will rekindle his rivalry with primary ranked Armenian foe, Arman Tsarukyan, with the surging challenger afforded the possibility to avenge a 2019 determination loss in what got here as his Octagon debut towards the present champion.
Islam Makhachev tipped to win titles as excessive as middleweight
Nevertheless, forward of the pairing, Makhachev has been linked with a possible climb as excessive as welterweight subsequent — notably if shut pal, Belal Muhamamd by some means drops the title sooner or later, however his coach, Javier Mendez claimed a championship success at middleweight is even attainable.
“I see it in the gym, guys. I see it, so I know how good this guy (Islam Makhachev) is,” Javier Mendez advised The Schmo. “
So yeah, 185 just isn’t going to be a problem for him,” Mendez defined. “It’s a matter of whether or not he needs to. However he usually walks round throughout coaching camp—when he is available in for coaching camp, he’s all the time strolling round at 179 or 180.
Clearly, if he ever went to middleweight, he’d must placed on some muscle,” Mendez continued. “I’m not saying he can’t, and I’m not saying he gained’t or doesn’t wish to. I don’t know; we’ve by no means mentioned it.
