Khamzat Chimaev Expresses Doubts

Khamzat Chimaev has expressed serious reservations about Islam Makhachev's prospects of thriving at middleweight, a weight class significantly above his current division. Makhachev is fresh off a dominant performance at UFC 311, where he defended his lightweight title with a swift submission of Renato Moicano. Following this victory, he has made bold claims about wanting to challenge middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, who is set to defend his title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312.

Chimaev's Concerns

While Makhachev’s ambition is commendable, Chimaev, a notable fighter who recently impressed at middleweight himself, believes the transition could be a challenge for his friend and teammate. "I have my doubts about Islam’s ability to compete at 185 pounds," he stated during an interview.

Training & Comparisons

Chimaev iterated that he hasn't trained with Makhachev recently and can’t provide a definitive assessment of his capabilities in a higher weight class. He pointed out that while battling at lightweight was tough for Makhachev – referring to his previous match with Dustin Poirier – he considers former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov better suited to compete in middleweight.

Khabib's Potential

"If anyone could move to 170 or 185, it would be Khabib," Chimaev remarked, cautioning that Makhachev might face increased challenges. He also hinted at the possibility that Makhachev's move up could unexpectedly bring him success, as he himself found moving to 185lbs easier after a strenuous fight at welterweight.

Makhachev's Caution

In the aftermath of UFC 311, Makhachev firmly rejected the idea of facing Alex Pereira, the current light heavyweight champion, stating “It’s too much.” This came after his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, had suggested that Makhachev could potentially conquer the 205-pound division by defeating Pereira.

Future Prospects

Despite Abdelaziz’s confidence in Makhachev’s potential to dominate across weight classes, Makhachev remains cautious. The question looms whether he can make a successful transition into the middleweight league that features powerful fighters like Dricus du Plessis.

Conclusion

As speculation grows, fans are left to wonder: Will Islam Makhachev make history by conquering a new weight class, or could this bold move lead to unforeseen struggles? Only time will tell if this promising lightweight champion can assert his dominance among the middleweights. Stay tuned as we update you on Makhachev’s journey!