Islam Makhachev successfully retained his undisputed UFC lightweight title last weekend at UFC 311, and the man who helped coach him to victory said the Russian star has what it takes to move up in weight and add more belts to his collection.
Chatting to Submission Radio, American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez said that he feels that Makhachev can become a champion at welterweight, and maybe even at middleweight, too, after seeing him holding his own against much bigger, stronger fighters in the gym.
“I could see Islam going for three titles, (three) weight divisions,” Mendez said.
“He’s capable of (it), although 185 would be a lot tougher.
“He still has the ability. He has the strength, too, I can tell you that. He is one of the strongest guys I’ve ever had to handle at his weight. Tussling with him, I’m like, damn, this guy’s strong! Really, really strong.”
Makhachev probably won’t look to challenge for 170-pound gold all the while training partner Belal Muhammad is the current welterweight champion. But, if that were to change, he may opt to move up in a bid to add another belt to his collection.
And Mendez said Makhachev could even bypass welterweight and go straight to 185, where he’d still be very competitive, despite conceding size to his opponents at middleweight.
“He’d go fantastic (at middleweight),” he said.
“I’ve seen him go with heavyweights in the gym that are really good, and he’s whooping on them.
“I don’t like it, because when he’s going with heavies, I go, ‘What are you doing with heavyweights? You shouldn’t be going with heavyweights.’ It was in Dagestan.
“He goes, ‘No, coach, it’s OK!” I go, ‘No! It’s not OK! Because if those guys land one good shot on you, it can change everything!”