Former UFC Lightweight Champion is – if the multitude of rumors are to be believed – is set to face off against welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena in November at UFC 322 at Madison Square Gardens.
Since new lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria’s spectacular first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, many have been anticipating a future super-fight between the ex champ, who vacated the belt in May, and new champion, in a battle for both the 155 lb title and the #1 pound-for-pound title, where Topuria and Makhachev currently occupy the top two spots.
Now, speaking this week to Russian media, Islam explained what his process might be for coming back down to lightweight and fighting Topuria to officially claim the coveted “double champ” status.
Islam Makhachev Speaks Out Weight Increase To Welterweight
“Before my last training camp I was [183-185 lbs]. In this training camp, following my diet my weight went up to 86.5 kg (190.5 lbs) yesterday. I think we can already say I’m at the optimal weight, where I feel comfortable training with welterweights.”
Makhachev also implicitly poured some cold water on some potential rumors that he might – at some point – go up to 185 lbs to challenge Khamzat Chimaev, the incumbent UFC Middleweight Champion, having just defeated previous belt-holder, Dricus Du Plessis, at UFC 319 last weekend.
“I have no plans to gain more weight. It might go up, maximum two kilograms.”
The record holder for lightweight title defenses was then asked how his new weight might affect the potential for him to move back down a weight class.
“I don’t know. And it was never easy [the weight cut]. I’ll have to see how much I gain after the fight. If after the fight in a month my weight is the same 83-84 kg, then we can talk about it. But if it’s already 85 kg (187 lbs), considering that the weight has gone up and it already wasn’t easy, I think we’ll have to sit down with the team and talk [about whether to move back down to lightweight].”
Makhachev Leaves The Door Open To Return To Lightweight
As much as things depend on Islam’s natural weight shifts pre and post fight at 170 lbs, perhaps more will be contingent on the outcome of the title fight in November.
If he wins, the impetus will likely be for him to go back down to lightweight – especially if Ilia Topuria wins his next fight – which will likely happen in either December or January, and fight the Spaniard for his old belt in what could be one of the biggest fights of the past decade.
If he loses, and feels good at 170lbs, it is far more likely the UFC will be willing to let him stay at welterweight and compete in the division.
But fans will likely see these comments as good news, keeping the door open for that much-anticipated potential bout between two of the top talents the UFC has seen in a long, long time.
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