Islam makhachev gave up the UFC lightweight belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC India
The technician Islam makhachev does not see a very long career for his 'pupil' in MMA. The Dagestani gave up the lightweight belt (up to 70,3 kg) after four defenses to move up a division and the tendency is that he will face Jack Della Maddalena next for the welterweight belt (up to 77,1 kg). Javier Mendez believes that the former champion will follow in his mentor's footsteps Khabib Nurmagomedov.
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“Islam will be 34 years old, so I don’t think he will live much longer. Considering how the guys from Dagestan shaped his mindset towards Team Khabib, and Islam having enough money to do whatever he wants for the rest of his life, we’ll see. The challenge for me is to be able to leave a legacy for him, and winning the welterweight title is quite a legacy,” the coach said in a statement. interview ao 'Submission Radio'.
“I hope we see him for maybe three more fights in total. We’ll see who’s on the right track. If we beat JDM — which, I don’t want to say we will, because that guy is a tough opponent. I’m going to be optimistic about winning, but it’s kind of hard to ignore JDM,” Javier Mendez said.
The vacant lightweight belt will be contested by Charles of the Bronx e Ilia Topuria in the main fight of UFC 317, on June 28th. The card closes International Fight Week, with Alexandre pantoja looking to defend the flyweight belt (up to 56,7 kg) against Kai Kara France in the co-main event.
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