Islam Makhachev says cutting less weight makes him more dangerous

Islam Makhachev is facing a large trial — helium volition soon participate the welterweight part and galore are wondering if helium volition beryllium arsenic ascendant arsenic helium was successful the lightweight division. Until recently, the undisputed lightweight champion near the part aft 4 loop defenses; a grounds successful that class and crushed for large optimism. Now waiting for him successful Madison Square Garden is Jack Della Maddalena, the antheral who wrested the loop from Belal Muhammad.

Makhachev claims that moving up volition assistance him; little value loss, helium says, means amended betterment and stronger performances successful aboriginal rounds. "Anyone who loses 10 oregon much kilograms for a combat does not afloat retrieve until the lucifer itself. I entered the matches astatine 60-70 percent of my capableness due to the fact that it is hard to retrieve from specified a value nonaccomplishment successful lone 30 hours. I americium precise excited to spot however I volition beryllium wrong the cage now," said Makhachev and added that helium expects the top benefits successful the aboriginal rounds.

Welterweight challenge

"We'll spot however I'll beryllium aft the 2nd round, if we adjacent get to that signifier of the fight. After the second, 3rd round, erstwhile we get into the title rounds, that'll beryllium interesting. I've already felt a spot successful grooming campy however I'm successful those stages. How I'll retrieve betwixt rounds and however I'll consciousness aft the 3rd circular successful a existent fight, that'll beryllium thing caller for me," helium explained.

Experts spot this combat arsenic a clash of styles arsenic well; Makhachev is inactive a menace successful wrestling and the ground, portion Della Maddalena is 1 of the champion boxers connected the roster and volition surely effort to support the combat connected the feet. The questions are clear: volition Islam support up the speed, tin helium predominate against physically stronger opponents, however volition helium enforce himself successful the stand-up exchange?

Makhachev answers directly: “It’s nary secret. Khabib told maine to instrumentality him down and deterioration him out. I deliberation I tin decorativeness him connected the ground. I could choke him, bash an armbar oregon thing similar that. I’ve studied his crushed skills. He’s good, but I’m much than that.” Confident and wide — the answers volition travel connected November 15, erstwhile we’ll spot if he’ll beryllium watching an adjacent amended mentation of Islam.