After Conor McGregor’s historic feat of becoming the first-ever UFC fighter to hold two different weight division titles simultaneously, the dream of becoming a double champion has ignited in the hearts of many other fighters. One such fighter is Islam Makhachev, the current lightweight champion, who wants to achieve something even his mentor and coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, could not accomplish.
Makhachev, who is known for his dominant grappling skills and impressive record of 20 wins and only 1 loss, has set his sights on the coveted status of “champ-champ”. This term refers to a fighter who holds titles in two different weight divisions at the same time, a feat that has only been achieved by a handful of fighters in the UFC’s history.
The lightweight division has always been one of the most stacked and competitive divisions in the UFC, and Makhachev has proven himself to be a formidable force in this weight class. With impressive wins over top-ranked contenders such as Drew Dober and Thiago Moises, Makhachev has solidified his position as the undisputed champion in the division.
But despite his dominance in the lightweight division, Makhachev has his eyes set on a bigger goal – to become a double champion. In a recent interview, he expressed his desire to move up to the welterweight division and challenge the current champion, Kamaru Usman.
This decision has sparked a lot of debate and controversy within the MMA community, with many questioning Makhachev’s chances of success in the welterweight division. UFC president Dana White has also expressed his disapproval of Makhachev’s plan, stating that he needs to defend his lightweight title first before thinking about moving up.
However, Makhachev remains undeterred by White’s decision and the criticism from his peers. He firmly believes that he has what it takes to become a double champion and is determined to prove his doubters wrong.
But not everyone in the MMA community is against Makhachev’s pursuit of the champ-champ status. UFC veteran and former lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos, recently shared his thoughts on the matter and gave his full support to Makhachev.
Dos Anjos, who has also moved up to the welterweight division in the past, believes that Makhachev has the skills and mindset to succeed in this weight class. He also pointed out that Makhachev’s grappling skills would be a huge advantage for him in the welterweight division, where he would face bigger and stronger opponents.
Dos Anjos also highlighted the fact that Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is widely considered as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, was unable to achieve the champ-champ status. He believes that this could serve as a motivation for Makhachev to prove himself and surpass his mentor’s achievements.
In conclusion, while there may be some opposition to Islam Makhachev’s decision to pursue the champ-champ status, there are also those who believe in his abilities and support his goals. Makhachev’s determination and drive to achieve greatness in the sport is admirable, and it will be interesting to see how his journey unfolds in the coming months. As fans, we can only hope that he continues to stay focused and motivated, and we may witness another historic moment in the UFC if he succeeds in his quest to become a double champion.
