Islam Makhachev showed his championship mentality throughout UFC 311 fight week when his opponent was changed just a day out.
The 33-year-old champion was originally scheduled to defend his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch six years in the making, but Tsarukyan withdrew just a day out due to injury.
Fortunately for Islam Makhachev and the awaiting fans, Renato Moicano was upgraded to the main event as he was already scheduled to fight against Beneil Dariush on the undercard, who ended up without a fight.
The dominant Russian went on to submit the Brazilian in the first round, breaking the record for the most amount of title defenses in UFC lightweight history.
Islam Makhachev sensationally calls out Dricus Du Plessis in ‘triple champ’ plea after UFC 311
Prior to his scheduled fight against ‘Ahalkalakets’, Makhachev has consistently spoken about his desire to become a double champion, as is the norm for UFC champions these days.
Despite that, the current welterweight champion is his friend and recent teammate, Belal Muhammad and Makhachev has stated he would rather not fight him.
However, the 33-year-old has admitted that he will not retire from the sport before competing for a second belt as he looks to add to his already glowing legacy.
“I don’t know when (my move to welterweight) is gonna happen but I will not leave this sport without a second belt, I need the second belt to be, and after (I can be called) the greatest or something but right now I need to be double champ,” Makhachev said at the post-fight press conference.
“I don’t know guys whether it’s gonna be next fight or when I’m still gonna be fighting, still winning, defend my belt however many times the UFC want, I will defend and when they give me a chance I want to be double champ,” he continued.
Becoming a UFC double champion now, though, would only add him to a list of several fighters to realize that success before him. And that is where Makhachev wants to go an extra step further.
The dominant Russian has claimed that he would like to become the first fighter to win titles in three separate weight classes and has been touted to do so by his manager, once again looking to make UFC history.
“I can be three division (champion) also. Just give me the chance, that’s it. I will fight with (Dricus) Du Plessis, give me the chance, I will fight him also. I swear if Dana White sends me the contract, I will fight him also,” Makhachev sensationally stated.
Middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis is set to defend his 185lb title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 following a successful title defense against Israel Adesanya.
Khamzat Chimaev doubts Makhachev’s ability to win the middleweight title
With Makhachev not wanting to fight ‘Remember The Name’ Muhammad, a move up two divisions could be the answer to his problem.
However, before he is likely able to do that, Khamzat Chimaev will likely fight for the title first after backing from White that he will be next.
After Makhachev’s manager, Abdelaziz stated that he believes the Russian could go up to middleweight and win the title, ‘Borz’ has offered his opinion on how Makhachev would fare at 185lbs.
“Well, if Islam wants to, and (Abdelaziz) wants, let him go up and try… Maybe it’s possible, maybe it’s not. If anyone could move up (and compete) at 170 or 185, it would be Khabib. As for Islam, I have my doubts because of his (fight against Dustin Poirier). It was tough for him,” Chimaev told Aslanbek Badaev.
Islam Makhachev is seemingly a big 155lber and his skillset would match up very well against the current champions at both welterweight and middleweight.