Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) walks out for a ightweight title fight against Renato Moicano (not pictured) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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“If Dana White Send Me Contract, I Will Fight This Guy” – Islam Makhachev Targets Champion From A Higher Weight Class

Some fighters rest on their laurels after becoming the champion, but not Islam Makhachev. He is fresh off breaking the UFC lightweight title defense record at UFC 311 with a first-round submission over Renato Moicano. The pound-for-pound king dropped a bombshell that, shortly after that, sent shockwaves through the MMA world.

The Russian champion, who already seems to be running out of challenges at 155 pounds, isn’t just eyeing a second belt – he’s looking to make history by becoming the first-ever three-division champion in UFC history. And he’s not being shy about who he wants.

Also Read: Islam Makhachev Reveals To Daniel Cormier The Family Member Who Never Watches His Fights!

Islam Makhachev Targets Middleweight Champion

Fans have got to admire Makhachev’s ambition. Most fighters dream of becoming a double champion, but this guy is out here playing career mode on expert difficulty. At the post-fight press conference, Makhachev laid out his master plan with confidence.

“I can be three division (champion) also. Just give me the chance, that’s it. I will fight with Dricus Du Plessis, give me the chance, I will fight him also. I swear if Dana White sends me the contract, I will fight him also.”

Here’s where things get interesting. While the welterweight division would normally be his next stop, his friendship with current champion Belal Muhammad has him looking at an even bolder move. Skipping straight to middleweight would be a risky move that could either cement his legacy or serve as a harsh reality check.

The timing of this call-out is particularly spicy, considering Du Plessis is set to defend his middleweight crown against Sean Strickland at UFC 312. Makhachev’s manager, ever the optimist, believes his fighter can handle the jump in weight classes. But there’s a line forming at middleweight, with Khamzat Chimaev likely next in line for a title shot.

Still, fans can’t fault Islam Makhachev’s heart. Whether this ambitious plan comes to fruition or not, one thing’s for sure: the lightweight champion is thinking way outside the box, or in this case, way above his weight class!

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Belal Muhammad

Dana White

Dricus Du Plessis

Islam Makhachev

UFC 311

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!