Makhachev Targets Historic Fight With Du Plessis – ‘I Have The Keys To Victory’

Islam Makhachev is targeting a historic fight against the UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis.
Makhachev defended his UFC Lightweight Title in his last fight after submitting Renato Moicano in the first round at UFC 311. He took on the challenge after his initial opponent Arman Tsarukyan withdrew at the last minute once he suffered a back injury. Makhachev is consistently on record saying that he wants to win a title in another weight class before he retires. This would eclipse the feat of Khabib Nurmagomedov, who only held a title at lightweight despite retiring undefeated with a 29-0 record. There are some hurdles in the way of Makhachev achieving this.
The current welterweight champion is Belal Muhammad. The latter is very close with Islam. He has also trained with Khabib, showing that they are close friends. This makes it difficult to make a fight. It also means that they understand each other’s games, ruling out any advantage they may otherwise have had. Khabib is also on record stating that he would not want to make this fight. The other opportunity would involve Islam moving up to middleweight. Du Plessis secured the middleweight title after defeating Sean Strickland in a controversial split decision at UFC 297.
He made the first defense of his title after submitting Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in his last fight. He will rematch Strickland at UFC 312. A move to middleweight would require Islam to jump up two weight classes to take on the leading name in the division. That is seen as a risky move. However, Makhachev has said that he feels his body is big enough to go up to that weight.
Makhachev Vs. Du Plessis
While that may be the case, it would make more sense for him to take a tune up fight in the weight division to acclimatize himself first before facing the other big names. There is also the issue of the other contenders in the division. Khamzat Chimaev should arguably get a title shot before Islam does. But it is something that he is keeping his eye on.
“My height allows [a move to middleweight]. I think my physical data allows it, too. [And] I just need to work with my specialists, gain muscle mass, add a little weight. I think I can try. As I already said at the press conference after the fight, if they offered it to me tomorrow and say they will give me time to gain weight, I would not turn it down. I would 100 percent agree to fight at middleweight. I’m not saying that I have a better chance, that I can 100 percent finish du Plessis, but watching his fights, watching his style, I think I have the keys to victory,” Makhachev said
If that fight does not happen, there is the opportunity to face off against Justin Gaethje. Islam has said that this is a fight which is appealing. He has previously secured victories over Arman and Charles Oliveira, leaving Gaethje as another big name in the division. Justin also has plenty to prove after having been knocked out at UFC 300 by Max Holloway. He is set to face off against Dan Hooker at UFC 313 in his next fight. A victory could then set up a fight with Islam this summer.
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