After having his first taste of competing at welterweight, Islam Makhachev is ready to create a dynasty for himself in the division.
Makhachev made easy work of a man many believed would be his toughest challenge: Jack Della Maddalena. The Dagestani suffered hardly any damage during his 25-minute affair with the Australian, who was unbeaten in 18 fights ahead of UFC 322.
Following his dominant display on Saturday night, questions were raised regarding Islam Makhachev’s future.
Some believe he has his sights set on becoming the first man in UFC history to defend belts in two different weight classes simultaneously. Others consider his time at lightweight to be over, and now Makhachev has shared his thoughts on the matter.
“Which record do we have to beat now?” Makhachev said following his historic win at UFC 322. “One more [to have the longest winning streak in UFC history]? Okay, let’s do this.”
“I’m ready, you know. Life has changed. No more cutting weight, and I feel better at welterweight.”
Islam Makhachev has far exceeded the expectations set for him after the retirement of his good friend and training partner, Khabib Nurmagomedov, five years ago.
With an entire host of new challengers waiting for him at 170, Makhachev believes his time for success inside the octagon isn’t finished. Despite the many hungry opponents pursuing a title fight, the welterweight king insists nobody in the division can handle his level of wrestling.
“Same things everybody says [is], ‘I’m going to knock out Islam.’ If I stay, they’re going to knock me out. But I’m going to try one time, two times, three times, I’m going to [keep] going.”
“I told you guys. In welterweight, I don’t think someone can stop my wrestling.”
Another possibility fans have considered for Islam Makhachev is a potential move up to middleweight.
Fresh in his new weight class and feeling the healthiest he’s ever felt, Makhachev shot down those rumors.
“Well, [Daniel Cormier] brought me cake in the locker room,” Makhachev continued. “It’s going to be so hard, man. I don’t know.”
“You know, today I feel great. I feel I’m ready to fight anyone, you know. In the lightweight [division], it’s so difficult to cut weight, to recover well, to show you good performance.”
“But today I feel [that] this is my weight division and I’m going to defend my belt many times more.”
Despite winning the title and defending it four times at lightweight, many believe Islam Makhachev has unfinished business in the division.
Ilia Topuria remains a standout name linked to Makhachev, but the Russian’s revelation means the highly anticipated super-fight isn’t likely to go ahead.
Throughout the top 15 in his former weight class, Makhachev has faced just four of them. While a fight with the Topuria and rematches against Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan interest fans, the 34-year-old’s future lies elsewhere.
Related: Ilia Topuria reacts to ‘most boring’ Islam Makhachev winning UFC welterweight title
The welterweight division is stacked with rising stars, and with a target now painted on his back, Islam Makhachev will have no trouble finding a willing title challenger.
Michael Morales and Carlos Prates had career-defining victories at UFC 322, both winning with highlight-reel knockouts.
Ian Machado Garry, Gabriel Bonfim, and Shavkat Rakhmonov also serve as surging talents ready to make the next step in their careers.
Alongside names hoping to one day hold UFC gold, Islam Makhachev has entered a division with several former champions.
Kamaru Usman and Belal Muhammad have both sat atop the welterweight division, and not only do they have big-fight pedigrees, but they are also well-rounded fighters with high-level wrestling.
While his next opponent hasn’t been confirmed yet, one thing is for sure: Islam Makhachev’s time competing at lightweight has come to an end.
