Lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg), holder of first place in the weight-for-weight ranking and undefeated in 14 fights, Islam makhachev He doesn't hide from anyone his desire to move up a category to seek a second welterweight belt (up to 77,1 kg). In the Brazilian opinion Rafael dos Anjos, however, this could mean the end of the Russian's unbeaten streak.
Former lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos He also made the move to move up to welterweight and came close to the title, competing for the interim belt in the category, but losing to Colby covington. In the Brazilian's opinion, the physical difference between Islam makhachev e Leon edwards, current holder of the 77 kg belt, would be too much for the Russian.
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“He’s in great shape right now, but I don’t think he can win Leon edwards and become double champion. I think it's because of the size difference. Leon is a much bigger guy and we've seen smaller guys like Dustin poirier give Islam a lot of work. Poirier is very tough, but he fought at featherweight and gave Islam a tough fight. Islam submitted him in the fifth round. Poirier is a great fighter and I have a lot of respect for him, but in every title fight he ended up submitted. I think his finishing defense is not good”, he analyzed.
The next step of Islam makhachev in the UFC is not yet defined, but the tendency is for the Russian to remain at lightweight for his next fight and defend the belt, probably against Arman Tsarukyan, in October.
