Ahead of his UFC 311 title defense on Saturday, Islam Makhachev is subject to an unwanted statistic. The longtime reigning UFC 155-pound champ faces new opponent Renato Moicano. In doing so though, Makhachev dooms himself to a line of questioning he has faced in the past as well.
In recent years, the Russian champion has been branded a “weight bully” by welterweight star Colby Covington. ‘Chaos’ has claimed that Makhachev and his team all cut extremely to fight at a less natural weight for them; i.e – 145. As luck would have it, Makhachev’s title run so far has been against current or former featherweight fighters! All-inclusive of UFC 311’s Renato Moicano, who made the jump to 155-pound bounds in 2020.
Makhachev won the vacant strap against Charles Oliveira (who also fought at 145lbs). Then he faced former featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski, twice! After a while of catching flak, the lightweight champion even refused to give a chance to featherweight fighters. Recently, current 145-pound champion Ilia Topuria has been vying for the same.
Makhachev put his stamp on that rivalry with Volk with a huge shin-kick to head KO, then defended his strap against Dustin Poirier. “Diamond” had fought several UFC fights at featherweight as well. His Team ATT mate Moicano’s first eight fights were at 145, to start his tenure. He has since improved to 7-1 at the UFC lightweight competition limits. This could now open floodgates of Makhachev being a weight bully and a 145 tyrant yet again. However, one particular veteran voice thinks Moicano is a good match for him.
Demetrious Johnson considers UFC 311 main event switch-up a ‘tougher fight’ for champion Islam Makhachev
After Friday’s whirlwind, UFC legend Demetrious Johnson believes the new UFC 311 main event is a better fight than Arman Tsarukyan. The Armenian would have been Makhachev’s first 155 lbs title defense against an out-and-out lightweight. A lot within the MMA community were interested in the wrestle-heavy skills test.
Is Islam Makhachev facing a tougher opponent at UFC 311? (Source: X)However, Demetrious Johnson has other ideas. Change is a good thing, and Renato Moicano subbed in like a wrecking ball. “Money” Moicano is only #No. 10 in the Official 155lb listings. However, he is currently on the back of an impressive four-fight winning streak.
At first, I was like, ‘Man, who can make this fight even better?’… It was the only person that I felt could step up and save this fight, Renato Moicano, …You look what ‘Money’ Moicano has done recently, he is on a tear because the man can’t afford to lose. And I think it’s a tougher fight for Islam Makhachev…one you have to do it within 24 hours… I feel Moicano is way more dangerous than Arman, just because he’s not gonna rely on the wrestling, he’s gonna throw knees he’s gonna throw combinations.
Demetrious Johnson via his “MIGHTY” Podcast (@Mighty15x)
Although DJ is recognizing the challenge ahead, he still thinks Makhachev will take the cake. Moicano is a proficient pocket striker and Muay Thai specialist with acute hooks and uppercuts. He is a proactive and fun transitional grappler, always looking for the back. But Makhachev is no light matter. He can answer striking deterrents as well as he can in wrestling.
While strong inside a clinch, UFC 302 saw how the Russian himself can outbox at any place. Makhachev prefers to chain up single-shot outputs. But one never knows if it’ll be transitional trips, knees, and tosses or striking. Makhachev lands 61.3% of his significant strikes in UFC lightweight competition. It is the second-highest rate in the division’s history behind Justin Gaethje‘s 60.3 percent. Come a few hours more, it is really a puncher’s or scrambler’s chance to the top.
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