Islam Makhachev needs multi-division UFC championship glory, however analyst Alan Jouban would like to see him stick in his personal lane.
After setting the document for consecutive light-weight title defenses with a first-round submission of Renato Moicano at UFC 311 this month, Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) reiterated that he’s not going to depart the game and not using a second title.
What that second weight class can be stays to be seen, however with an absence of want to face present welterweight champ Belal Muhammad, Makhachev stated he would settle for an opportunity to face middleweight kingpin Dricus Du Plessis if it was supplied.
Over the previous decade, reigning champions pursuing further divisional titles has develop into commonplace. Some have efficiently pulled it off, whereas others have failed. There appears to be a notion that capturing belts in a number of weight lessons is the last word legacy-enhancer, however for UFC and ESPN analyst Jouban, it doesn’t exceed the worth of being a dominant and long-reigning titleholder.
“I don’t have to see it,” Jouban informed MMA Junkie of Makhachev competing at middleweight. “I prefer to see guys at their weight do dominant issues and set data. That’s once we discuss greatness. Do I take it significantly? Yeah. I take it significantly. I feel he really feels that’s what he needs to do. Has he earned it? Yeah. He set the document with 4 title defenses.
“Clearly if Islam goes as much as 185, he needs to win, but when he doesn’t win he can say, ‘So what? I’m nonetheless the light-weight champion. I nonetheless have the belt so I’ve acquired nothing to lose.’ That’s why I don’t like these double champs. It’s one factor if he goes as much as 170, however to go up two weight lessons is unreasonable. He’s acquired nothing to lose. I have to have one thing at stake in these fights. And there’s nothing at stake if he goes and loses and comes again down and defends his belt and is placing the division on maintain.”
Though Makhachev, No. 3 within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie pound-for-pound rankings, has separated himself as essentially the most adorned champ in 155-pound historical past, Jouban doesn’t really feel he’s cleared the record of contenders to the purpose the place transferring up in weight is the one choice.
Makhachev was speculated to rematch Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 earlier than the challenger pulled out on weigh-in day as a result of a again problem. UFC CEO Dana White stated within the aftermath of the occasion that Tsarukyan should win at the least yet one more combat to re-earn the chance for a crack at gold, but when Jouban was in a position to make the decision, he thinks that combat stays as the most important risk to Makhachev’s historic reign.
“Arman is the man, in my case, that units him aside from Khabib (because the light-weight GOAT),” Jouban stated. “That’s what units the document. That’s the one man within the division the place there’s the query mark of, ‘Are you able to beat this man? Are you able to beat a man that’s equal to you within the grappling?’ That may change issues.”
“I feel he’s going to be champion for some time. The hardest check that the division has towards him I imagine, as a lot as I really like Charles Oliveira, I simply don’t assume his grappling is as robust as Islam’s. I hope he stays within the division, although. I hope he stays within the division and units document. We’re speaking about him going up, what’s he going to do? He’s not going to combat Belal (Muhammad at welterweight), so he’s going to skip to 185? I don’t need to see that.”
Take a look at the video above as Jouban and MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn focus on Makhachev’s place among the many biggest light-weight champs in historical past on “The Bohnfire” podcast.
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