Usman thinks it makes sense for Makhachev to move up and challenge welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, a frequent training partner of Makhachev and his team. “If I was Islam a

The next UFC welterweight title fight is expected to be Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov. Makhachev recently admitted that he’d rather not fight Rakhmonov either, which would make his welterweight title aspirations tough. Time will tell if Makhachev will eventually move up to 170 pounds and attempt to secure UFC gold in a second weight class.

Should he beat Tsarukyan, Makhachev will claim the record for most title defenses in UFC lightweight history, and cement himself as one of the best fighters of his generation. But the lightweight champion doesn’t want to stop there.

The Islam Makhachev next fight news should arrive in the next few months. Until then, we look at three potential

After defending his lightweight title at UFC 311, Islam Makhachev expresses interest in a middleweight title bout and solidifying his legacy as a double champion