Team Islam Makhachev Names Top 3 Threats at Welterweight, Before Impending Move

With Islam Makhachev making an imminent shift to the UFC 170-pound division, Khabib Nurmagomedov has identified the key players to keep an eye on. While not made official by the promotion or UFC’s event listing schedule at ESPN, Makhachev could challenge for gold at the upcoming UFC 322 pay-per-view (PPV) event, in November, from inside the MSG.

The Dagestani and long-time reigning former 155-pound champ relinquished the stakes to his gold earlier this year for a move to welterweight. He was hesitant to fight right off the bat with a friend holding the top spot, but things worked out in Islam Makhachev’s way for the better.

Makhachev had quite the momentum and got a straight title shot for his supposed entry. While he is still regarded as the all-around #1 Pound-for-pound fighter by many, coach Khabib has listed the top 3 threats to his move to 170.

1. Shavkat Rakhmonov

Nurmagomedov sees welterweight boogeyman Shavkat Rakhmonov as a clear threat to Makhachev’s reign. ‘Nomad’ is still undefeated in his octagon run (7-0) and often considered a stylistic threat for many. Rakhmonov last faced Khabib-rival and Irishman Conor McGregor’s compatriot Ian Machado Garry at the UFC 310: Pantoja vs. Asakura PPV event.

While Rakhmonov touted a 100% finish rate up until that (1-0 (T)KO/5-0 Submission wins), Garry made him a bit less boogey and was quite a stylistic matchup for him. However, in the stem of the all-around pacing that the Kazakh phenom from Team Kill Cliff FC has, Khabib rates him quite a challenge ahead.

In welterweight division, I see Shavkat as someone who command respect and brings real risk. Shavkat, Belal. Ian Machado Garry… I wouldn’t consider him such a serious threat.

Khabib Nurmagomedov said to Kamil Gadzhiyev (H/T: Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) on X)

Islam Makhachev himself touts much of the same vein of skillsets and all-around pound-for-pound skills. He reigned as #1 P4P fighter for a reason, having submitted a submissions specialist, outworked and outboxed a pure boxer before a submission, and even kicked and vanquished a kickboxer.

Rakhmonov was to try his luck as top contender against former UFC 170-pound champ Belal Muhammad, but pulled out. With a shuffle in the order, Rakhmonov is yet to get his crack at gold, but given his talents, he is still poised to be a tough nut to crack in the weight class. Muhammad is whom the Team Khabib helmsman tracks as the next challenge.

2. Belal Muhammad

When both Muhammad and Islam Makhachev held the lightweight and welterweight golds, the duo refused to fight each other and engage in crass trash-talking. “Bully Belal” has trained with Team Khabib before; Khabib advised him in his lone second-round TKO win over Sean Brady at UFC 280: Oliveira vs. Makhachev.

He also trained with them before winning the welterweight gold at the UFC 304 PPV event in Manchester, last Summer. The lineup got a shuffle with Muhammad losing his gold to Jack Della Maddalena at the UFC 315: Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena PPV event in Montreal..

With the weight class having a change of guard, a transactional period, and with JDM about to make a maiden defense, Khabib still rates Belal Muhammad above those like Brady, Michael Morales, and other surging names at 170lbs in the top 3. Now that none of them have their gold, it’s a fair game up the contention ladder.

I don’t see Sean Brady as big threat; Stylistically, he’s too convenient for Islam. Islam would out strike him, and if they grappled, Islam would control him, I don’t see Brady as a dangerous opponent. Shavkat, Belal, and Maddalena – biggest threats [at 170].

Khabib Nurmagomedov further said to Kamil Gadzhiyev

Muhammad is keen to make a fight against a legacy name like Kamaru Usman next, with both former champs being top-5 in the Athletes’ Listings. As for all-time great Usman, he ended a 20-month layoff on a win at the UFC on ESPN 69 headliner and is expecting bigger matchups. For Makhachev, one more name persists and that is JDM himself.

3. Jack Della Maddalena

At the present moment, the UFC 322 PPV card remains without a confirmed date or venue in November; however, the promotion customarily organizes an annual pay-per-view slot at MSG. Islam Makhachev has quite the stiff test ahead in his pursuit of two-weight championship dreams.

Despite the emphatic KO win at the UFC 317: Topuria vs. Oliveira PPV headliner, Ilia Topuria, dominantly a striker while in UFC, is a lesser puzzle. Both Khabib and coach Javier Mendez have agreed on as much. stating Della Maddalena is tougher.

JDM is of a greater size, has good tact standup, good knees, standing defense/anti-wrestling, and a good scramble that makes him more of a challenge. Khabib once said that he’s “worried” about this one, and Mendez agreed. The Aussie welterweight could be unherladed in his skills due to his BJJ prowess under the tutelage of Ben Vickers. Only time will tell how Makhachev fares against him in this top 3 challenge.

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