Islam Makhachev’s decision to switch from lightweight to welterweight has become a pivotal moment for the UFC in recent months. This was more than just a change in strategy or a publicity stunt. It was clearly a calculated move into the riskiest weight class available today. Islam took a particularly novel approach, upending the entire order rather than merely resolving conflicts.
Not only did he lose the 155-pound title, but he also sparked a reckoning among the top 170-pound fighters in the UFC. Islam had dominated the lightweight division, where his control-heavy style had dominated both elite strikers and grapple-heavy opponents. However, the way he moved was akin to an apex predator leaving one forest to roam another.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev |
| Date of Birth | 27 October 1991 |
| Age | 33 years |
| Birthplace | Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 155 lb (Lightweight), now 170 lb (Welterweight) |
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
| Fighting Style | Combat Sambo, Judo |
| Team | American Kickboxing Academy, Eagles MMA |
| Coaches | Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov (former), Khabib Nurmagomedov, Javier Mendez |
| UFC Record | Active since 2010, former UFC Lightweight Champion |
| Rankings (as of July 2025) | #1 UFC Lightweight, #2 UFC Pound-for-Pound |
| Verified Profile |
The timing of this transition is what makes it unique. The current welterweight roster, which includes Shavkat Rakhmonov, Sean Brady, and Jack Della Maddalena, is remarkably diverse. These are rising stars and proven finishers, not placeholders. It takes conviction to enter that field, not just bravery.
Islam co-founded his legacy with Khabib Nurmagomedov through strategic alliances and unrelenting discipline. Dagestan’s harsh training culture fostered their chemistry, which produced champions with a single goal: dominance via accuracy and pressure. Islam, who is currently coached by Javier Mendez and frequently counseled by Khabib himself, enters the welterweight jungle as the storm rather than the underdog.
Islam is able to wear down opponents without causing significant damage because he transitions much more quickly than most of his contemporaries. His approach, which is remarkably similar to his mentor’s blueprint, combines patience with unexpected outbursts of well-timed aggression. This formula gave him an almost invincible appearance at lightweight. But in a more demanding class, it will be put to the ultimate test.
By taking the initiative now, Makhachev brings the welterweight division to a point where it is overrun with talent rather than top-heavy. The threats posed by fighters such as Ian Garry, Joaquin Buckley, and Michael Morales vary. Buckley’s knockout highlights continue to be viral gold, but Morales’s poise has significantly improved. Garry sees himself as the UFC’s next big star because of his brazen demeanor and undefeated record.
It’s interesting to note that Garry recently stated on “The Ariel Helwani Show” that he anticipates passing one last test before his title challenge. That test might very well be Makhachev. If that occurs, Islam’s resilience will encounter a new kind of fire: pressure from the media, a marketing spectacle, and an ardently vocal fan base.
Beyond the evident technical know-how, Islam contributes a change in tone to this division. When a champion from a different weight class decides to take a chance, the situation shifts. The UFC’s promotional engine will especially benefit from this move. Selling Makhachev versus anyone is simple. But everyone versus Makhachev? That is historic.
Comparisons to Georges St-Pierre’s brief middleweight title run have been made throughout this transition. Here, however, the subtlety is vital. GSP entered for a one-and-done snatch of the title. Islam appears committed to demonstrating his longevity at 170, paving a more daring and noticeably more congested route.
This results in a stalemate when it comes to UFC title dynamics. Ironically, though, the promotion thrives on the chaos that necessitates clarity. The belt is currently held by Jack Della Maddalena, but it feels more and more shaky now that Islam is involved. If Makhachev prevails in that fight, his next move will be the subject of even more discussion.
Will he take on Shavkat Rakhmonov, who has never lost and is incredibly dependable in every aspect of his game? Or Sean Brady, who is so close to winning a title because of his wrestling and durability? Maybe he takes on Belal Muhammad once more, or does what few would dare: criticize Garry or Morales while they’re at their best?
Talk has increased since Makhachev’s action. There are currently too many pieces and not enough slots for the UFC’s matchmakers to solve. This means that contenders must compete with one another, risking rankings for relevance. That’s the unsettling reality. Unless they end someone else’s streak or break their own, fighters like Carlos Prates and Geoff Neal might never get a chance.
However, from the standpoint of a fan, this drama is incredibly successful. It makes every matchup more urgent and raises the emotional stakes. Tune-up fights are over. Now, every fight is of elimination quality.
There would be significant historical ramifications if Islam were to defeat Della Maddalena and win a second title. He’ll have accomplished something Khabib never tried. Only a few athletes have legitimately accomplished the dual-division legacy he would sit on. That would make him legendary and above debate.
It might appear to casual fans that Islam simply changed its classification. However, for those who are interested in the more complex stories of MMA, this was a calculated, dangerous move that could change his legacy and the way the UFC matches in the future for years to come.
Islam has not only reached the greatest division at its height but has also been motivated to advance by his unbeaten mystique and methodical fighting style. His glow feels much brighter now, in a sport where the spotlight frequently flickers.
