Khamzat Chimaev seriously doubts Islam Makhachev could compete at middleweight.
The former welterweight contender moved up a division and looked better than even when he choked out ex-champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October.
Islam Makhachev wants to jump up two divisions after defending his lightweight title with a quick submission win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311 on Saturday night.
Dana White’s new pound-for-pound number one pleaded for the chance to prove himself against middleweight king, Dricus du Plessis, who will put his title on the line against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 next month.
Khamzat Chimaev considers Islam Makhachev at 185lbs
Rumors about Makhachev competing 30lbs above his current weight class have been swirling for some time, and Chimaev has made his feelings clear on the potential move.
‘Borz’ thinks Makhachev would struggle in his division. The 30-year-old recently explained why he feels Khabib Nurmagomedov is more suited to 185lbs than his protégé.
“Well, if Islam wants to, and [Ali] Abdelaziz wants, let him go and try,” Chimaev told Aslanbek Badaev.
“I don’t know. I can’t give an answer about Islam now as I haven’t trained with him.
“Maybe it’s possible, maybe not. If anyone could move to 170 or 185, it would be Khabib. As for Islam, if have my doubts because of his last fight [against Dustin Poirier] at 155. It was tough for him.
“Although I had a tough fight with Gilbert Buns, then I moved up to 185 and it was easier there. Maybe Islam will have the same situation. He might move up and it will become much easier. Only the Octagon can show.”
Islam Makhachev vs Alex Pereira?
Makhachev completely ruled out fighting Alex Pereira in the aftermath of UFC 311.
‘No, it’s too much,” he replied when asked about facing the UFC light heavyweight champion, who is set to face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8.
Makhachev distanced himself from the wild matchup after his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, publicly backed him to move to 205lbs and become champion by beating the Brazilian KO artist.
“I don’t think any man from 155lbs to 185lbs can beat Islam Makhachev,” the MMA manager said. “It doesn’t exist. I believe 155, 170, 185, I think Islam can beat anybody on any given day.
“This is what I believe in because of what he’s shown me, the development, the improvement. I think Islam will beat Alex Pereira at 205, I do. I swear to Allah.
“I think Islam Makhachev will beat Alex Pereira. He’s just going to take him down and finish him, submit him. Alex Pereira can knock out anybody on the planet if he touches you, but I think Islam Makhachev is this good.
“I think he’s one of the best fighters, most complete fighters we’ve ever seen.”