'185 lbs Is Not Going To Be An Issue For Him'
12/24/2024 07:15 PM
Watch out "Stillknocks."
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is set to make his fourth title defense next month at UFC 311 against No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan in Los Angeles.
The Russian fighter has expressed many times that he wants the chance to make UFC history by becoming the eighth athlete to achieve double champion status, but unfortunately, he's stuck because his buddy Belal Muhammad is the current Welterweight champion.
However, according to Makhachev's legendary coach, Javier Mendez, the Lightweight champion could easily move up to Middleweight to try and become a 'champ champ' against Dricus Du Plessis.
'I 100% feel Islam can [move up to Middleweight] if that's what he wanted to do. But it's what he wants to do that will happen, not his ability. I mean, his ability, I see it in the gym. I see it, so I know how good this guy is," Mendez told Schmo. "So, 185 lbs is not going to be an issue for him...when he walks into training camp, he's usually walking around at 179-180 lbs. If he were to ever go to 185, he'd have to put on some muscle. I'm not saying he won't or can't or doesn't want to; we've never discussed it. We have discussed Welterweight, but again, as long as Belal is there, I don't see it happening."
Mendez added that Makhachev has the potential to become the first-ever triple champion.
"I would say yeah, he has the potential for the trifecta- definitely, 100%. He has the ability, mindset, and work ethic. He can definitely do that if that's his desire and the UFC allows him to go there. So, yes, I can see that happening."
There is no doubt that Makhachev is extremely skilled and might go down as the best Lightweight of all time, but as we have seen before, weight classes matter at some point, and 155 lbs is a long way from 185 lbs. On top of that, Du Plessis is a big, hulking Middleweight.
Also, a fighter's coach will always pump up their athlete ... and Mendez does it quite often.
