Dustin Poirier is aware of that measurement issues.
As he anxiously awaits phrase on what is anticipated to be the ultimate struggle of his profession, the previous interim UFC light-weight champion all the time retains a watchful eye on the game however particularly with regards to the athletes in his division. With regards to light-weight, the reigning champion remains to be Islam Makhachev, though he’s lately hinted at a possible transfer to pursue a second UFC title.
Whereas a bounce to welterweight would take advantage of sense, Makhachev doesn’t need to intervene along with his good friend and frequent coaching accomplice Belal Muhammad, who holds the championship in that division, so he’s teased {that a} transfer to middleweight is feasible as an alternative.
“I feel he would do rather well at 170 [pounds],” Poirier mentioned about Makhachev when talking to Helen Yee. “185, the fellows are simply too large.
“Islam’s an enormous man. He can struggle 170 for positive. He may change into the champion at 170, I consider, however 185’s pushing it, I feel.”
As Makhachev contemplates a possible transfer up in weight class, UFC featherweight king Ilia Topuria is contemplating the identical besides he needs what the Dagestan native at present has.
Following knockout wins over two of the perfect 145-pound fighters in historical past in Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in 2024, Topuria continues to point out curiosity in shifting as much as light-weight to go after Makhachev and the 155-pound title.
For his half, Makhachev has largely scoffed on the thought as a result of he already beat Volkanovski twice and he doesn’t need to proceed going after smaller opponents that don’t provide him as a lot status for his legacy.
Poirier didn’t deal with how Makhachev feels in regards to the potential matchup however he did appears to agree that Topuria packing on the additional kilos to compete for a light-weight title proper now in all probability wouldn’t finish effectively for him.
“If he can cease the takedowns, his boxing’s higher than Islam’s,” Poirier mentioned about Makhachev. “He’s a much bigger puncher.
“Islam’s approach is getting loads higher on the ft, he’s type of artful and elusive. After I fought him, he fought at a bizarre vary. The dimensions distinction is simply an excessive amount of [for Topuria], I consider.”
As of now, Makhachev and Topuria are each awaiting their subsequent assignments so it’s robust to say what would possibly occur sooner or later.
Contemplating Makhachev is already ranked because the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter within the sport, he might need a stronger case to leap to a brand new division however solely time will inform if he truly decides to make that transfer or not.
