Islam Makhachev’s Future Definitely At Welterweight Division

As he prepares to defend his lightweight title at UFC 284, Islam Makhachev is looking towards his next adventure.

Javier Mendez, the coach for the reigning UFC champion, talked with Submission Radio recently about a potential move to welterweight.

Makhachev will defend his title against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski this Saturday night.

“I a 100 percent see that,” Mendez said. “And the reason why I see that is because Islam wishes that. And when he wishes that, he’s gonna will it to happen.

“So, he’s gonna train, he’s gonna clear out the division like he wants to do, and then he is gonna go for the welterweight title, and whoever that person at that particular time is gonna be, I feel he’s gonna beat.”

However, Mendez does not expect Makhachev to take on top welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev.

“I think if that fight happened to be a dream fight, but I kind of look at Khamzat, to be honest with you, as being the 185-pound champ,” Mendez said. “Cause I see him as unstoppable at 185. I really do. I see this guy at 185, I see him being a champion. So, I don’t ever see him and Islam, in my eyes, ever crossing, because I think Khamzat’s gonna rule the 185-pound division.

“And he’s such a big guy that I wouldn’t doubt it if he even wanted to go to light heavyweight. That’s what I think of him. He’s incredible. In my eyes, what I seen, first time I seen him training at the Apex Training Center when he had just got over Covid, right? I watched this guy and I went, wow, it’s no wonder everybody’s talking about him.

“He’s special. He’s definitely special. A hundred percent definitely special. But I don’t ever see that, those two fighting. Only because, in my mind, I just see Khamzat as just too big, and I see him going to 185 and up. I do see him going up to light heavyweight, believe it or not.”