Fights
Makhachev is no longer a UFC champion. The Russian fighter was forced to give the belt
The Russian moved to the welterial division, but the UFC did not let him become a double champion.
The head of the UFC Dane White on the eve made a sensational statement on social networks, according to which our Islam Makhachev will fight for the championship title with Austrian Jack Della Maddalen. The very fact of Makhachev’s transition to a heavier division cannot be called a supercense, but the UFC decision to deprive it of a lightweight belt looks extremely unpleasant.
And it can greatly redress Islam, who probably counted on another outcome.
The increase suggested for a long time
The news promised by White really turned out to be very loud. The alleged battle between Makhachev and Maddalen has now become a reality. Actually, after the victory of the Australian over a friend of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Belal Muhammad Islam, he was unfavorable that he was going to go to the welterial division in the near future. Islam could climb into a new category before, but did not want to fight with Muhammad.
Now there are no barriers, so White actually only voiced what everyone had been waiting for a long time. The main sensation was that the Russian was forced to abandon the championship belt in the previous weight in the UFC. If you look at Makhachev’s statements before this event, he clearly counted on other layouts.
Nevertheless, White decided to show fundamental. The head of the UFC has repeatedly stated that double champions negatively affect the organization. First of all, because two divisions are inhibited at once. Of course, the organizations had exceptions like John Jones, but White had a global position on this issue in recent years quite unambiguous.
So now, the UFC decided not to make concessions to Makhachev. Although Islam tuned in to go down in history, the double championships are unique and prestigious, whoever said anything. Throughout the history, there were units that were promoted. Makhachev could well become the exception to the rules, given its popularity and achievement. But the result was different. The title freed by Islam will now challenge Elijah Topuria and Charles Oliveira on the UFC 317.
All this does not reduce the greatness of Makhachev, who went to a bold step, moving to another division. This is a sharp change in a career associated with certain risks. What to say, even if his friend Khabib did not dare to such a step, despite absolute dominance in his weight. The Australian Maddalena is already distributing an interview to the right and left, threatening to knock out the Russian, but the manager of Islam Ali Abdel-Aziz spoke out in a completely different rhetoric.
– In the light division, Islam defeated all the opponents worthy of attention. Let these guys, Topuria and Oliveira, fight for the title. Everyone knows who the real champion. Makhachev did not lose in title battles and did not lose the title in battle. No one in the UFC right now in any division does what Islam Makhachev is doing, who is abiding his rivals. In the welter division, it will become a problem for everyone. And Makhachev will own two belts, because he is still a lightweight champion, ”MMA Junkie quotes Abdel -Aziza.
The date and place of the legendary battle are still unknown, but as soon as clarity comes, the whole world of martial arts will wait with enormous impatience to wait for something great. And there is little doubt that Makhachev will arrange a real performance there.
Source: Sportbox
