Hardy On Makhachev's Welterweight Future

Islam Makhachev will need to rethink his strategy if he wants to keep winning at welterweight, according to Dan Hardy.

The former UFC contender and current PFL director of European operations told Submission Radio that Makhachev faced a clear size problem at UFC 330, where Ian Machado Garry stayed off the mat longer than most expected. Makhachev extended his win streak to 17 with a decision over Garry in Philadelphia, surpassing Anderson Silva for most consecutive UFC victories, but the champion took damage getting there.

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Size And Frame Present New Problems For Makhachev

Hardy said the welterweight division will only get harder for the former lightweight champion. "It's obvious that welterweights are a decent bit more difficult to control for 25 minutes," Hardy said, per MMA Mania. "You look at the other guys sitting around the octagon ready to call him out. None of them are easy fights for him, and they all get bigger than him and Garry."

The challenge is not just weight but frame. Hardy noted that welterweights carry more muscle mass and longer limbs, with some standing six foot three or taller. Michael Morales, who claims he cut from 230 pounds to serve as backup at UFC 330, represents the extreme end of that size gap. Carlos Prates is another large contender in the mix.

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Hardy said Makhachev must adopt a pressure-heavy approach similar to Merab Dvalishvili or Alexander Volkanovski, fighters who succeeded despite being undersized in their divisions. "Makhachev needs to realize that he's not gonna be one of the bigger bullies in the weight class anymore, because there's gonna be some big boys that he has to deal with," Hardy said.

Makhachev has indicated a preference to fight Prates before Morales. The undefeated Morales is 19-0 and carries knockout power that could end Makhachev's streak if the champion cannot impose his grappling early. The next title defense has not been announced.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Dan Hardy on Islam Makhachev’s welterweight future: ‘His game has to change’