Islam Makhchev finds himself in a favorable ripple effect, similar to the one he was in this time last year. Let us explain. Shavkat Rakhmonov winning the UFC 310 co-main event is the first step towards Makhachev achieving his next big goal. Following his victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, the Dagestani fighter said, “It’s my dream. I want to fight for the second belt. I want to feel that energy again, because when you defense your belt, it’s not same. I need new one.” Talks of Makhchev moving to the 170-pound division have been strong since 2023 but Belal Muhammad securing the title earlier put a pin in those discussions. The reason? Makhachev would not fight a teammate. Enter the ‘Nomad.’

Shavkat Rakhmonov is certainly up for a fight with Makhachev if he ever moves up to welterweight. After his victory at UFC 310 over Ian Garry, he is yet again the next in line for a title bout. During a conversation with Adan Zubayraev back in October 2024, he said, “If Islam himself wants to fight, why not?” ‘Nomad’ wasn’t chasing a super fight with Makhachev. But it was his attitude of not denying a fight that got him ready to think about a possible matchup. He continued, “I myself don’t strive for it, since I treat everyone well. But if he has a desire to move up, I won’t refuse. It will be purely sporting interest, I think. No problems.”

Back in December 2023, Makhachev had his eyes on then-champion Leon Edwards who took on Colby Covington at UFC 296. Covington was open to a champion vs. champion bout at welterweight but he lost to Edwards. Plus, Makhachev had just beaten Alexander Volkanovski, who was chasing a rematch with the lightweight champion. Fast forward to December 2024, he has another welterweight title contender open to a cross-divisional fight, while the featherweight champion (Ilia Topuria) is interested in a champ-champ fight at 155 lbs. But let’s get back to welterweight for now.

Talking to MMA Fighting a while back, Belal Muhammad had said, “I would never fight [Islam Makhachev] 100 percent. But honestly, he could go up to 185 and beat [Dricus] Du Plessis right now.” The same thing was true for Makhachev. When Muhammad was presented as a prospect in an episode of the Weighing In Podcast, Makhachev said, “I don’t know brother, I don’t know. We have same manager, we will do something, we will see.” Islam also pointed out the moral dilemma of fighting someone who was training with them just a few days before.

Islam Makhachev fighting either the featherweight champion or the welterweight champion could halt the progress (albeit temporarily) at both divisions. But for his goal of a second title to come true, he has to complete step two. Makhachev is set to fight Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311. The Armenian was arguably the only fighter who neutralized the famed Dagestani grappling when they last matched up. There is a chance that Makhachev will walk out of the Intuit Dome in California on January 18 without the belt. So things might just change for the champion after UFC 311. 

Be that as it may, Rakhmonov’s words resurfaced yet again after UFC 310 when ESPN MMA shared an Instagram post about a possible matchup for Makhachev. As soon as the post crossed the thresholds of the social media platform, fight fans swooped into the comments section and revealed their thoughts. Needless to say, they stood up in support of the Dagestani champion. But let’s see what the fighting community had to say in a bit more detail, shall we?

Islam Makhachev receives support in hypothetical fights against Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Belal Muhammad

Even though Shavkat Rakhmonov retained his undefeated streak at UFC 310, it was Makhachev who received the fans’ support. One fan wrote, “After seeing his fight against Ian, I can say it for sure that Islam mauls him.” During their bout, Garry took control of Rakhmonov’s back and almost succeeded in submitting him with a rear naked choke. That put a shadow of doubt on the fans’ minds. A fan wrote, “Buddy you almost got choked out by Ian Garry. God knows what Islam would do to you.” Even if it were the welterweight division, the fans poured all their support for the Dagestani. One of them wrote, “Islam mauls anybody in welterweight to he honest.”

But what about the matchup against Rakhmonov and Muhammad? Well, the MMA realm believed it would be like a child’s play for Makhachev to claim victory. One fan wrote, “islam would beat both of them easily idk why this is even an argument.” Meanwhile, another fan reflected on the skill difference between the welterweights and Makhachev. The comment read, “Both of them are well rounded but Islam’s skills are far more advanced.”

Needless to say, people seemed to believe that Makhachev was the hardest fight, regardless of the weight class. A comment read, “Islam is hardest fight for everyone he choose to fight in any weight class.” On top of that, with a heavier weight, Makhachev wouldn’t have to cut his weight and that would definitely make him more dangerous. A fan wrote, “I got Islam. He’s a really complete fighter… and without that weight cut brotha, look out.”

What do you think of Makhachev’s desire to move up in the weight category? Do you think he can achieve the status of a double champion? Drop down to the comments below and keep the debate going.