Islam Makhachev`s desired move to the welterweight division is set to become a reality, following recent updates after UFC 315 and comments from Dana White.
The current lightweight champion has expressed interest in challenging himself at 170 pounds for some time, and this will now be his next career step.
Makhachev is expected to face Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title in the future, although an official date has not yet been announced.
In the interim, Ilia Topuria will compete against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight belt at UFC 317. Makhachev vacated his 155-pound title to facilitate his move up in weight.
While many anticipate the Russian fighter will perform well at welterweight, a man with considerable experience fighting in different weight classes goes even further in his prediction.
Anatoly Malykhin Believes Islam Makhachev Can Become a Three-Division Champion
Anatoly Malykhin predicts that Islam Makhachev`s dominance won`t be confined to the lightweight or even welterweight divisions.
He believes the current pound-for-pound number one fighter could also achieve similar success in the UFC’s middleweight division if he continued to ascend through the weight classes.
Malykhin is himself a two-division titleholder in ONE Championship and previously made history by simultaneously holding three belts.
He captured the ONE middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight titles by defeating Arjan Bhullar and Reinier de Ridder (twice), before experiencing his first career loss last November.
Malykhin and Makhachev have interacted in the past; after Malykhin achieved his three-weight goal, the UFC star referred to him as the “most dangerous guy on the planet”.
In a recent interview, Malykhin stated that he doesn’t believe anyone could prevent Makhachev from matching this three-division accomplishment if he put his mind to it.
“When it comes to Islam Makhachev, I’m just in love with his style. He has an awesome style and I think at 84 kilos (184 pounds), he can easily beat the current champ and he can become three-weight champion like I did in the past. I really think he can because he has a unique style, he trains with the best team in the world and he was trained by the best coach in the world. I do not have any advice for him. People like Islam should be giving me advice.”
Anatoly Malykhin Aims to Reclaim His Heavyweight Title
After an impressive 14-0 run during his reign across three divisions, Anatoly Malykhin suffered an unexpected defeat in the main event of ONE 169 last November.
He lost his heavyweight belt to Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane via split decision, but ‘Sladkiy’ is determined to reclaim the title.
The 37-year-old is motivated to correct the mistakes made in that fight, aiming for revenge against Kane and the potential goal of holding three belts once more.
Malykhin informed Bloody Elbow that a rematch has already been scheduled, although ONE Championship has not yet released the official details.
He stated, “Actually, the date has been set already. Unfortunately, I cannot share with you the date. I think the promotion will do it but slowly, steadily, I’m starting to get ready.”
Gareth Tenby