UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is scheduled to defend his title against Alexander Volkanovski this weekend. Although Islam will be facing a formidable opponent who almost defeated him last time, he has some huge plans for his future. The Dagestani fighter wishes to surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov by challenging for a welterweight strap.
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is considered as the G.O.A.T in the lightweight division. The Eagle retired at the top with an undefeated record that helped him cement his legacy in UFC. Yet, despite accumulating all the accolades, Khabib never tried moving up a division.
His move to stick around at lightweight was questioned several times and many even considered him a weight bully. However, his protege Islam Makhachev does not wish to follow the same path and expressed his desire to challenge for the welterweight title.
“If they call me I will be ready for Leon or Colby any fight but my dream, my goal I want a second belt. We have many UFC champions but not much double champions. I want to be double champion,” said the lightweight champion.
While Makhachev has big aspirations for his future, he has a huge fight ahead of him. Alexander Volkanovski seems pretty confident despite stepping in on 11 days notice and has stated that all the pressure is on Islam.
If the 24-1 fighter manages to subdue ‘The Great’ he might be given a shot at welterweight title next. This would only bring him closer to his dream and being able to surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Why did Khabib Nurmagomedov never move up to 170 lbs division ?
Former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov had an illustrious career in UFC. The Eagle retired with an undefeated record and fought some of the best in the game. Additionally, Khabib was also part of UFC’s biggest pay-per-view event at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas against Conor McGregor.
Despite defeating the best in his division, Nurmagomedov never challenged himself to fight in other weight classes. He was also given an opportunity to fight one of the greatest welterweight fighters Georges St. Pierre after his retirement. However, The Eagle was pretty hesitant to take up the fight at 170 lbs.
According to Khabib, he is at his best when fighting at lightweight. The 29-0 fighter believes that he will be out of shape fighting at 170lbs and would have loved to fight St. Pierre at 155.
“I won’t fight at 170 that’s for sure it’s not my natural weight. When I’m in shape, my weight is around 180. To cut down to 170 and then weigh in around 176 on fight night against the best fighter of the weight class in the history of the sport?” said Khabib.
While the idea of Khabib fighting is long behind, his protege Islam Makhachev has the desire to fight at 170 lbs. Will the 31-year-old manage to become a double champion in the upcoming future? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.