As Islam Makhachev gears up for his biggest challenge yet, his coach Javier Mendez believes the lightweight champion is on a collision course with either Kamaru Usman or Ilia Topuria, depending on what happens this weekend at UFC 322.
Makhachev, the former pound-for-pound king, will move up to 170 pounds to face Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. A win would make him the 11th two-division champion in UFC history and further cement his legacy as one of the most dominant fighters of his generation.
Mendez, head coach at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), knows the challenge ahead won’t be easy.
“We’re dealing with a hell of a champion, and we respect that,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “I watched his fight with Belal Muhammad seven times, that’s how much I respect the guy. But I believe we’re going to beat him. We’re doing our homework because this guy is really good.”
Still, Mendez believes Makhachev has never looked sharper. Riding a 15-fight win streak, Makhachev could tie Anderson Silva’s all-time record with another victory.
“He’s improved everywhere, his stand-up, ground game, conditioning, and mentality,” Mendez said. “This camp eclipses any other we’ve had. I’ve never seen him this strong or this hungry. We know what we have, and I strongly believe we’re taking that title, but it’s not going to be easy.”
If Makhachev does dethrone Maddalena, the next logical question is: who’s next? According to Mendez, Kamaru Usman should be at the top of that list.
“The one guy who probably deserves it the most is Kamaru Usman,” Mendez said. “Look at what he just did to Joaquin Buckley, he stopped the hype train in impressive fashion. His title run as one of the greatest welterweights of all time should keep him in that conversation.”
Usman, who recently defeated Buckley in a dominant performance at UFC Atlanta, seems to agree. Speaking with MMA Junkie, the former champion made it clear he’s eyeing the winner of Makhachev vs. Maddalena.
“I have my eye on this weekend,” Usman said. “We’ll see who comes out victorious. I think it’s a big fight, a tough fight for both guys. I’m sitting here looking at the winner like, ‘All right, let’s run it.’”
During a live stream with influencer Adin Ross, Makhachev responded to Usman’s callout.
“After Jack, I think Kamaru Usman,” Makhachev said. “He has the most title defenses at welterweight, and now he’s in a good position.”
However, if the UFC decides to go in another direction, Javier Mendez believes a super fight with Ilia Topuria could generate massive buzz, especially with rumours of a high-profile event being planned at the White House next year.
“If you’re asking me what the fans want to see, I’d go with Topuria,” Mendez said. “If we get the win, I think Dana White will look to create the biggest buzz possible, and Topuria moving up in weight makes a lot of sense.”
With both Usman and Topuria on the radar, Islam Makhachev could soon find himself in back-to-back blockbuster matchups, but only if he can first take out Jack Della Maddalena this Saturday at UFC 322.
No matter how UFC 322 ends, one thing’s clear, Islam Makhachev isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Whether it’s a clash with Usman, a super fight with Topuria, or another record-breaking moment, the Dagestani champion is chasing history one division at a time.
