Off the again of his dominant UFC 311 win, Islam Makhachev has been backed by his personal coach to doubtlessly turn out to be the primary three-weight champion in Octagon historical past — significantly if paired with present middleweight kingpin, Dricus du Plessis.
Makhachev, who headlined UFC 311 over the course of the weekend, efficiently defended his light-weight crown for the fourth time, making gentle work of short-notice challenger, Renato Moicano with a dominant D’Arce choke submission win.
Initially scheduled to headline the promotion’s return to California was set to see him matchup with former opponent and surging primary ranked contender, Arman Tsarukyan — till the Armenian was pressured off the cardboard after struggling a again harm throughout the early hours of Friday morning while slicing weight.
Islam Makhachev backed for middleweight title win by head coach
And linked instantly with each a welterweight climb to tackle undisputed champion and former coaching mate, Belal Muhammad, Islam Makhachev has additionally been instructed he may characteristic efficiently towards South African star; present middleweight titleholder, du Plessis.
“I may see Islam Makhachev going for 3 titles in three weight divisions,” Javier Mendez instructed Submission Radio. He’s succesful, though 185 could be so much harder, he nonetheless has the power.
“He has the energy, too, I can inform you that,” Mendez defined. “He is without doubt one of the strongest guys I’ve ever needed to deal with at his weight. Tussling with him, I’m like, ‘Rattling, this man is powerful. Actually, actually sturdy. I’ve seen him go along with heavyweights within the gymnasium which are actually good and he’s whooping on them.
“I don’t prefer it as a result of when he’s going with heavyweights, I am going, ‘What are you doing with heavyweights? You shouldn’t be going with heavyweights.’
“It was in Dagestan, and he goes, ‘No, coach, it’s okay’. I am going, ‘No, it’s not okay. As a result of if these guys land one good shot on you, it may change all the pieces.”
Himself slated to return subsequent month at UFC 312, du Plessis rematches former champion, Sean Strickland in a bid to defend his middleweight title for the second time in a fundamental occasion conflict in Sydney.
