Apparently, weight classes do (not) matter.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s team thinks the world of him and is ultra-confident that he could demolish anyone on the roster, whether it be his upcoming opponent Arman Tsarukyan or Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis.
But recently, a new name has been thrown into the mix: “Poatan.”
That’s right. In a recent interview, Makhachev’s long-time manager, Ali Abdelaziz, believes his client will defeat UFC Light Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and it’ll happen in 2025.
“I don’t think any man from 155 lbs to 185 lbs can beat Islam Makhachev; they don’t exist,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “I believe Islam Makhachev can beat anyone on any given day. This is what I believe because of what he has shown me- his development, his improvement, ya know? I believe Islam Makhachev will beat Alex Pereira in 2025. I swear on everything, Allah. I think Islam beats Alex Pereira.”
Abdelaziz was then asked about the size and power difference between the two champions and if that would play a factor.
“He’s just going to take him down and finish him. Submit him,” Abdelaziz said. “It’s the style [match up]. I think Alex Pereira can knock out anyone if he touches you. I think Islam is that good. But it is a fight, and anything could happen. Skill for skill, Islam is one of the most complete fighters we’ve ever seen.”
When Makhachev’s legendary coach Javier Mendez recently claimed Makhachev could move up to Middleweight and “100%” defeat Du Plessis, it was pretty eyebrow-raising because of how much of a tank DDP is. But the Lightweight champion going up THREE weight classes is downright delusional.
Sure, there are the mixed martial arts (MMA) contrarians out there who will buy into Makhachev shooting a power double and putting Pereira on his back, but if a gigantic Jan Blachowicz couldn’t hold Pereira down for three rounds, how is the Lightweight champion going to do it.
Perhaps the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter wants to take that title literally and really find out what it means to be pound-for-pound.
Nevertheless, all of this is nonsense as Makhachev rematches Tsarukyan in two weeks at UFC 311.
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