Trouble in Store for UFC’s 145 lbs and 155 lbs Division After Islam Makhachev Does the Unexpected Following Colby Covington’s Callout

The UFC is a rather unpredictable place. Fighters moving up to fight at a heavier weight class used to be an unusual instance earlier. But such movements have become often-witnessed incidents now. Recently, the UFC legend, Chael Sonnen, predicted that the fans spectate such a move from a certain fighter.

‘The American Gangster’ also revealed that the next UFC welterweight title contender, Colby Covington is the catalyst behind this entire thing. ‘Chaos’ is biding his time until he can have a go at the welterweight title at the end of the year. However, his future plans may have an adverse ripple effect across two other divisions, as per Sonnen.

Colby Covington doesn’t want to give UFC welterweights a shot at the title

Viewing Sonnen’s latest YouTube video might give fans an idea about Colby Covington’s farfetchedness. The Oregon native revealed Covington was confident about “running through” the UFC Welterweight king, Leon Edwards, in his UFC 296 bout. He also shared that ‘Chaos’ doesn’t see any of the UFC welterweights worthy of a title shot.

Sonnen also talked about a recent interview that Covington did. He mentioned how the former UFC Interim Welterweight champ wanted the UFC Lightweight king, Islam Makhachev as his first title defense contender. But fans must remember that all of this will happen only if Covington manages to defeat the current welterweight champ, Leon Edwards, at their UFC 296 showdown.

Interestingly, Covington is taking a page out of Makhachev’s own book. The first thing that the Dagestani did after claiming the vacant title at UFC 280 last year was call out Alexander Volkanovski for a champion vs. champion super fight. The only difference is that Makhachev was after the #1 P4P spot that Volkanovski was holding at the time. As for Covington, there is no such appeal except that of a champion vs. champion super fight. However, he has gotten some fundamentals wrong in his take, as quoted by Sonnen.

The UFC lightweight champ, Islam Makhachev, appears to be all game for the bout. He reposted an ‘X’ update from ‘MMA UNCENSORED that talked about ‘Chaos’ wanting to fight him. His caption to the repost read “Easy money.” This update from Makhachev is probably enough for most fans to learn what he feels about a fight against Covington. But where does that leave the division? And how would it affect the 145 lbs and 155 lbs divisions?

Does Colby Covington plan to cause a standstill in three UFC divisions?

Sonnen disputes Covington’s claim, highlighting the name of Belal Muhammad. Muhammad is sitting on a 9-fight win streak and faced Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 on short notice upon the promise of a title shot. Citing this reason, Sonnen explained how a Covington vs. Makhachev fight would derail two more divisions on top of halting the progress at 170 lbs.

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The lightweight and featherweight divisions will be the most affected by this move. Quite understandably, this fight will create a championship vacuum in the lightweight division. Sonnen described the effects of Makhachev’s possible move, stating, “Is Islam going to create all the trouble at 155? Get all the 155 pound-ers riled up? Which is gonna spill down to the 145lbs-ers, or at least the king of 145, Volkanovski.”

Most fans might remember the UFC featherweight champ, Alexander Volkanovski‘s words in his UFC 290 octagon interview. ‘Volk’ said, “I’m still coming for that lightweight belt.” But if ‘Chaos’s suggestion materializes, the UFC featherweight champ won’t have the opportunity to fight the UFC lightweight champ anytime soon.

It would create a situation where these champions are chasing each other, blocking the title aspirations of other deserving contenders in the division. At the same time, a fight between Covington and Makhachev would sell some serious tickets for the UFC. All this, however, hinges on a lot of huge ‘if’s’. Covington has to win the title in December and Makhachev has to once again get past a determined Charles Oliveira.

If these results come to pass, Covington’s desired fight might also require Dana White and Co. to get back to the matchmaking boards and work out a new order for the affected divisions. Do you think ‘Chaos’s’ wish will materialize? Are you interested in the pair facing off in the Octagon? Let us know in the comments.

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