Transition of Russian UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhacheva moving up to welterweight will be the optimal development of events for him, the mixed-style fighter told Vyacheslav Vasilyevsky .
Makhachev defeated American Dustin Poirier by choke in the fifth round of the UFC 302 tournament in Newark, America, and defended his lightweight belt. The Russian won his 14th consecutive victory in the UFC and surpassed the feat of his compatriot Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired on a streak of 13 consecutive championship victories.
“I even predicted that it would either be a five-round domination of Islam or that it would all end in some kind of strangulation. Of course, I assumed Makhachev wouldn’t knock Poirier out from a standing position. He predicted victory either by decision or technique. It is therefore not surprising in principle that everything happened like this.
— Makhachev has indicated his intention to move up in the category and aim for the welterweight title. Do you think he will succeed?
– Why not? I think so. This will work pretty well. It seems to me that this is the optimal development of events for him. At lightweight, he has already beaten everyone. I think it will be interesting for the public to see him at welterweight. And for Islam itself, this will be a new motivation, a new challenge,” Vasilevsky told .
Makhachev, 32, has 26 victories and one defeat in mixed martial arts.
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Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
