Islam Makhachev’s Walkaround Weight: How Many Pounds Does the UFC Champ Cut?

Why do some fighters look big on fight day in compression to their normal days? Well, that’s because the fighters undergo a rigorous weight cut. Several fighters cut weight for their fight that they sometimes faint in order to cut it. Nonetheless, Islam Makhachev seems to be going through the same process. The lightweight champ is about to face Dustin Poirier to defend his belt.

The fight is just one week away from materializing and both fighters must be in the process of cutting weight for the weigh-ins. Ahead of their clash, let’s have a look at the champion’s walkaround weight. Let us get started.

What is Islam Makhachev’s weight?

UFC 302 would witness Islam Makhachev taking on Dustin Poirier for his title defense. Interestingly, this would be his first title defense against a true lightweight. Regardless, Makhachev is a big fighter, standing at 1.78 m (179 cm) tall, the champion is one of the tallest fighters in the division. Well if we go by the official stats then it is clear that Makhachev cut down to 155 lbs or 70 kgs but what is his walkaround weight?

Well, Makhachev’s walkaround is around 200 lbs. How, you ask? His friend Daniel Cormier in a conversation with him revealed when he was about to fight Alexander Volkanovski last year. Down in the conversation, he gave a hint that Makhachev weighs somewhere around 200 lbs, “You also weigh 200. It’s not like you don’t weigh 200. We weigh the same.”

The lightweight champion does look like he walks around near 200 lbs. No wonder cutting is a bit harsh for him. However, he is not the only now who has some problems with it. Even his mentor was walking around 200 lbs.

UFC champ’s weight comparison with Khabib Nurmagomedov?

Khabib Nurmagomedov was one of the most dominant fighters in the history of UFC. With a record of 29 victories and 0 defeats, there’s hardly any fighter who has the same caliber as the Dagestani. Well, Nurmagomedov was also the lightweight champ, who left the MMA scene after his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov died. Nonetheless, we all know that ‘Eagle’ never missed weight and was always 155 lbs but what was his actual walkaround weight?

Well, the mentor is no different from the student, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s walkaround weight was nearly 190 lbs at the time when he was competing. Nowadays he walks around at 205 lbs. “I weight 205lbs now, maybe 204lbs in the morning if I don’t have dessert the night before, When I was an active fighter, I was around 190lbs and I cut weight to 155lbs. I finished my career, I gained about five kilos, but I can’t do anything with this,” said Nurmagomedov in a conversation at a Human Appeal charity event.

Both the mentor and the student walk around 200 lbs now. Nonetheless, what are your thoughts on their match? Do you believe Islam Makhachev will be able to defend his belt? State your thoughts in the comments below.