3 reasons why Islam Makhachev’s skill will get nullified in middleweight division

January 18 of 2025 featured a UFC title challenge unlike any other at UFC 311 PPV (Pay-per-view). The first champs to put their belt up for grabs this year were successful in their defense. UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev proved why he is a true pound-for-pound #1 fighter. Now, Makhachev has said he won’t leave without a second belt — preferably a third. He even has his sight at middleweight.

Islam Makhachev isn’t the only one in the running for UFC triple-title goals. 2024’s most marketable fighter (already two-division champ) Alex Pereira is a top choice for this. Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is a stiff skills test and is widely popular amongst this trio. Topuria wants to hoist up to 155-pound limits and face the No. 1 contender; he has to go through Makhachev as well if he does.

Among the three, the Dagestani is also the most all-around skilled. He has burst through the UFC lightweight competition ceiling and is now eyeing middleweight. However, it’s easier said than done. Here is a brief look at why.

3. ‘Stillnox’ knocks you out, ya’know…

Right now, Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is in a league of his own. Makhachev’s five victories in the UFC lightweight title competition surpassed Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, and B.J. Penn. His 15-fight UFC winning streak is the longest active and makes him a clear lightweight GOAT.

Makhachev captured undisputed gold by submitting a submission specialist at the UFC 280 PPV event. Then, he knocked out an elite striker (Alexander Volkanovski) in a rematch after a close encounter the first time. He again answered with crisp boxing at UFC 302, before ending with a submission (D’Arce choke). But, right now, the UFC middleweight division has Dricus Du Plessis.

His nickname “Stillknocks” is a subtle reference to his KO power. Inspired by his brother, it comes from the medication known as Ambien in the USA. or ‘STILNOX’ (zolpidem 10mg) – AKA Du Plessis’s ability to ‘put his opponents to sleep’! Du Plessis’ eight-fight UFC winning streak at middleweight is similarly the longest active one in his division.

DDP has earned 19 career victories by stoppages, Eight of them came in Round 1; a massive thing for a 185lber. Du Plessis’ variable striking output cracked through Sean Strickland and his undecipherable shelled-up defensive boxing. DDP answered Israel Adesanya’s spatial management with his own experience. He has an impressive record of 30 knockouts in 33 amateur K-1 kickboxing scraps.

Like Islam Makhachev, the middleweight king has solid variance in shot selections. He also can chain off singles or go for sudden hard scrambles after combos. Hence, the dominant Dagestani is up for a tough day at the office; adding to the woes is their hydration.

2. Big Boy in the UFC block

From UFC 302 to UFC 311, Islam Makhachev hung around at a natural hydration of around 192lbs. But as DDP presents it – there’s a difference between a big lightweight and a big middleweight! Team Khabib’s prizefighter and long-reigning lightweight often quips that he’d fight King Kong if that ape made 155. Well… right now it’s ape to Kong, where Du Plessis is a big Kong at middleweight limits.

Make no mistake, Makhachev has made his output variance and short, striking clinic well known. The champ lands 60.3 percent of his significant strike attempts in UFC lightweight competition. It is concurrently the highest going rate for a while, more than the likes of veteran striker Dustin Poirier.

Makhachev also absorbs 1.51 significant strikes per minute. But then, so is DDP but at better, bigger hydration. The middleweight ‘Kong’ and king lands 6.95 significant strikes per minute in UFC middleweight competition.

Subsequently, the highest in his weight class. Not the berserk ‘Tarzan’ or the spatial wizard/kickboxer Izzy even does that. It looks like Du Plessis misses a lot, but his feints and chains stitch up the almost perfect opportunities. His switch-stance/kickboxing variations off the counter and mad-combo could be a perfect option for Makhachev’s left-side singles.

1. Alice in the ‘Wonder if I can go up’ land

Everyone has those ‘champ-champ’ dreams and another belt they want. Maybe, except for Alexandre Pantoja, Tom Aspinall, Merab Dvalishvili, and Jon Jones (well duh…where’d he go!), everyone is vocal about it. Now, it’s Topuria, “Poatan”, and Islam Makhachev unto the dual-division or more fold. However, brass and matchmaking litigation says it’s a big no-no.

UFC CEO Dana White is all up for the big sweepstakes and projected PPV sales in such cases. But if everyone gets the opportunity, then nobody is a USP with a singular opportunity. The others in the UFC Athletes listings might have a say if there’s work left in the division. Hence, White has said no to all three of these aspirants.

Makhachev might not get a chance to go up for a while now, at all. Charles Oliveira wants his piece of meat again as a close option to No. 1 contender for UFC 155-pound gold. Arman Tsarukyan is waiting in the aisle; Team Makhachev themself want Justin Gaethje as a potent challenge. DDP might not even hold the belt later and whoever does might not be willing at all. So for now, middleweight dreams are off.

Related: Islam Makhachev unfazed by Dricus Du Plessis ‘overpower’ warning as Dagestani dreams of middleweight belt