Islam Makhachev done cutting weight to | MMA News
After having his first style of competing at welterweight, Islam Makhachev is prepared to create a dynasty for himself in the division.
Makhachev made straightforward work of a man many believed could be his hardest problem: Jack Della Maddalena. The Dagestani suffered hardly any injury during his 25-minute affair with the Australian, who was unbeaten in 18 fights forward of UFC 322.
Following his dominant show on Saturday evening, questions had been raised concerning Islam Makhachev’s future.Â
Some imagine he has his sights set on changing into the first man in UFC historical past to defend belts in two different weight courses concurrently. Others contemplate his time at light-weight to be over, and now Makhachev has shared his ideas on the matter.
“Which record do we have to beat now?” Makhachev said following his historic win at UFC 322. “One more [to have the longest winning streak in UFC history]? Okay, let’s do this.”
“I’m ready, you know. Life has changed. No more cutting weight, and I feel better at welterweight.”
Islam Makhachev has far exceeded the expectations set for him after the retirement of his good good friend and training accomplice, Khabib Nurmagomedov, 5 years in the past.
With an total host of new challengers ready for him at 170, Makhachev believes his time for success inside the octagon is not completed. Despite the many hungry opponents pursuing a title battle, the welterweight king insists no person in the division can deal with his degree of wrestling.
“Same things everybody says [is], ‘I’m going to knock out Islam.’ If I stay, they’re going to knock me out. But I’m going to try one time, two times, three times, I’m going to [keep] going.”
“I told you guys. In welterweight, I don’t think someone can stop my wrestling.”
Another risk followers have thought-about for Islam Makhachev is a potential transfer up to middleweight.
Fresh in his new weight class and feeling the healthiest he is ever felt, Makhachev shot down those rumors.
“Well, [Daniel Cormier] brought me cake in the locker room,” Makhachev continued. “It’s going to be so hard, man. I don’t know.”
“You know, today I feel great. I feel I’m ready to fight anyone, you know. In the lightweight [division], it’s so difficult to cut weight, to recover well, to show you good performance.”
“But today I feel [that] this is my weight division and I’m going to defend my belt many times more.”
Despite successful the title and defending it 4 instances at light-weight, many imagine Islam Makhachev has unfinished business in the division.
Ilia Topuria stays a standout title linked to Makhachev, but the Russian’s revelation means the extremely anticipated super-fight is not possible to go forward.
Throughout the top 15 in his former weight class, Makhachev has confronted just 4 of them. While a battle with the Topuria and rematches against Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan curiosity followers, the 34-year-old’s future lies elsewhere.
Related: Ilia Topuria reacts to ‘most boring’ Islam Makhachev successful UFC welterweight title
The welterweight division is stacked with rising stars, and with a goal now painted on his back, Islam Makhachev may have no bother discovering a keen title challenger.
Michael Morales and Carlos Prates had career-defining victories at UFC 322, both successful with highlight-reel knockouts.
Ian Machado Garry, Gabriel Bonfim, and Shavkat Rakhmonov also serve as surging abilities prepared to make the next step in their careers.
Alongside names hoping to sooner or later maintain UFC gold, Islam Makhachev has entered a division with a number of former champions.
Kamaru Usman and Belal Muhammad have both sat atop the welterweight division, and not only have they got big-fight pedigrees, but they’re also well-rounded fighters with high-level wrestling.
While his next opponent hasn’t been confirmed yet, one factor is for sure: Islam Makhachev’s time competing at light-weight has come to an end.
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