Makhachev is the UFC’s reigning lightweight champ and is coming off a decision win over Alexander Volkanovski back in February. Since then, he has been campaigning to get a fight but nothing has come to fruition. As well, with Charles Oliveira saying he won’t be ready in October, there is no clear-cut next contender for Makhachev to defend his belt against. With that, Makhachev is looking to fight for the UFC’s welterweight title in October in Abu Dhabi.
With Islam Makhachev not having a clear-cut next contender, him moving up in weight and challenging for the welterweight title appears to be a viable option. However, all signs appear that Leon Edwards will defend his title against Colby Covington or Belal Muhammad in October or November, so Makhachev likely won’t get the chance.
Although it doesn’t appear Islam Makhachev vs. Leon Edwards will happen in October, if they both defend their titles next time out, a champ-champ fight does make some sense. It also would be a massive scrap and a highly-anticipated one, but in order for it to happen, both men need to win at least one more fight.
Islam Makhachev (24-1) is coming off the win over Alexander Volkanovski to defend his lightweight title for the first time. Prior to that, he submitted Charles Oliveira to win the vacant lightweight title. Makhachev is currently riding a 12-fight win streak and holds notable wins over Dan Hooker, Arman Tsarukyan, Drew Dober, and Thiago Moises among others.
Leon Edwards (21-3 and one No Contest) defended his welterweight title for the first time back in March with a decision win over Kamaru Usman. To win the belt, Edwards scored a fifth-round head kick KO of Usman. Edwards is also currently on a 12-fight unbeaten streak which would add to the intrigue with matchup against Makhachev.
Lets fucking go. This gets my dick hard
Would love to see Leon Scott ko that retard.
Guy needs to string a few 155lb title defenses together before he starts talking about moving up and challenging higher division champs. He just edged out a win vs Volk for christ sake
Fight a couple 155ers first, caveman
This
So his first defense is against a featherweight coming up and now he wants to fight a welterweight? My god dude, just defend your belt at 155 against 155ers.
Leon is fighting Colby
It’s Ali not Islam
Volk won that fight, they need to fight again
Or Islam needs to fight at 155, so many matchups at 155, easily the most competitive division in the UFC.
Going to 170 makes zero sense and I thought Leon was fighting Colby next anyway
Mr Peepers needs to chill
Virtually identical
Islam destroys Leon easily
When Islam wins a belt at 170 he surpasses Khabib imo.
makhachev will loose any battle
involving an IQ test
You have something in common with Islam.
Lol @ calling for a fight that you know isn’t going to happen.
You have one title defence that you didn’t even win against a featherweight. You aint fighting for a second belt any time soon.
He’s only talking about it because he knows it can’t happen. He will never fight at welterweight he will continue cutting 40 pounds and using IV’s to fight smaller fighters at lightweight just like Khabib.