Midnight Mania: Middleweight Makhachev Is Just ‘That Good’

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American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) head coach Javier Mendez believes in his pupil Islam Makhachev.

Makhachev has risen up the pound-for-pound ranks (much to Dana White’s annoyance) on the strength of three title defenses, which includes two finishes. Currently, Makhachev rides a 14-fight win streak, and he’s more than lived up to expectations as the man to follow Khabib Nurmagomedov’s foot steps.

A rematch opposite Arman Tsarukyan was planned for October and is still likely the next step, but an injury to the champion’s hand delayed that Lightweight title defense. It’s unclear if Makhachev will still face Tsarukyan in 2024 or if UFC will opt to change the plan entirely. Either way, Mendez expects Makhachev to defend his title a fourth time, breaking the UFC Lightweight record.

“That’s a good reason to fight Arman or anybody else, and you get the most defenses in the lightweight history,” Mendez told Red Corner MMA (via MMA Junkie). “I can’t believe three is the record. That’s just amazing how it turns over.

“So many fighters have won titles there, but they never kept it more than three title defenses. So Islam will break the record, and I want to see him go down as one of the greatest of all time, and I believe he’s on track to do that.”

After Tsarukyan? Makhachev’s longterm goal has been to move up to Welterweight and become double champ. Belal Muhammad upsetting Leon Edwards complicated those plans, however. Makhachev and Muhammad are friends and training partners, so the Russian athlete isn’t as interested in that bout.

He’s flirted with the idea of going all the way up to Middleweight to face Dricus Du Plessis. That’s a 30 pound jump, but Mendez believes a properly prepared Makhachev could still find real success at 185-pounds.

“Then after that let’s see what happens,” Mendez said. “Maybe Islam gains weight and goes to 185. I mean, he’d have to gain weight, obviously, because that’s a little big for him. You never know. He’s that good. (He’s) pound-for-pound No. 1 for a reason.”

It really all depends on timing. By the time Makhachev takes on Tsarukyan and then is ready to fight again, Welterweight could have a new champion, rendering the two weight class jump unnecessary. Or, Dricus Du Plessis could lose the belt, creating a new theoretical match up entirely.

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