All eyes are on Islam Makhachev as we wait to listen to what’s subsequent for the light-weight and welterweight divisions.
The apparent subsequent combat for the 155 pound champion is Ilia Topuria, who dropped the 145 pound belt to maneuver up. However Makhachev doesn’t need to combat one other overrated featherweight. He needs to be a overrated welterweight combating for the belt that was simply gained by Jack Della Maddalena.
However wait, there’s extra: Mak additionally stated he refuses to drop the 155 pound belt, which leaves the UFC in a little bit of a bind as a result of they should transfer that division ahead, ideally at UFC 317 with Topuria going through Charles Oliveira.
In a brand new video on his YouTube channel, former double champ and Islam teammate Daniel Cormier mentioned the scenario.
“Makhachev wrote, ‘The time is now to develop into a double champion, Inshallah, let’s go,’” Cormier stated. “These guys already know, ‘Hey, we’re gonna construct this factor. We’re gonna make individuals tune in to this factor.’ We’re gonna watch regardless. It’s a improbable combat. It’s a giant time combat. And if Jack Della seems the way in which he did final week, it’s a really intriguing combat as a result of we’ve by no means seen Islam combat up at 170.”
“We’ve by no means seen him must compete up from 155 kilos. Sure, he’s a giant dude. However by way of full on stature, is he as massive as Jack Della Maddalena is? And likewise, if he thought he could combat at Worldwide Battle Week, how small had he gotten, and the way a lot time does he must put the load again on the proper method earlier than he strikes as much as 170? Lot of questions.”
“Makhachev is open to bouncing [between 155 and 170],” Cormier added. “We’ve not seen anybody do that however Amanda Nunes — go as much as 145, beat fighters like Megan Anderson and people ladies, then go all the way down to 135 and do what she did because the bantamweight champion.”
Cormier didn’t point out that he additionally defended the UFC heavyweight and light-weight heavyweight titles on the identical time. He did, which makes him fairly educated in relation to realizing what it takes.
“It looks as if Makhachev thinks he can do the identical factor. That’s tough. That’s onerous, particularly when you get that belt on the subsequent weight class. ‘Why do I’ve to chop the load after I’m the champion right here?’ It’s a really, very onerous factor.”
If Makhachev is critical about combating at 155 and 170, then the reply appears apparent: combat Ilia Topuria at 155 after which Jack Della at 170. If he needs the UFC to let him be a full on double champion, he ought to show that he’ll be energetic sufficient to deserve it.
What truly will occur is unclear — Dana White’s proper hand man Hunter Campbell simply spent final week in Dubai and Dagestan making an attempt to succeed in an settlement with Makhachev’s individuals, however nothing appears resolved. This can be a sport the place either side are hoping the opposite will blink, with UFC 317 on June twenty eighth because the casualty if neither do.
