“Alex vs Islam 3…” Team Islam Makhachev lays down blueprint to lightweight champ’s move to welterweight division

American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) coach/founder Javier Mendez is famed worldwide for mentoring multiple MMA champions. Recently, the former ISKA kickboxing world champion weighed in on the future trajectory of Islam Makhachev and his fight plans. Fighters Alexander Volkanovski, Leon Edwards, and Colby Covington became a focus during the discussion.

Welterweight champion Leon Edwards squares it out with Covington soon at UFC 296. Meanwhile, Makhachev himself defeated featherweight Volkanovski for a second time recently at UFC 294. Speaking on the “Javier Mendez Podcast,” the coach weighed in on Edwards vs. Covington. This is what he said:

If you ask me who I want to win - who I'm gonna pick, I pick Leon. because I've said it all the time. I go with the guys I know and I don't go against them. I'm not going against Leon. Leon and Islam, if it does come through - it's two nice guys fighting each other. I mean that's "Alex and Islam III", you know...Alex was a nice guy...

Makhachev wants to move up to welterweight to face the victor of Edwards vs. Covington. Mendez thus recalled “nice guy” Volkanovski and thought Edwards would present a similar threat. Recently, Makhachev had gunned for a US vs. Dagestani wrestling welterweight bout against Covington.

Mendez did consider trash-talker Covington as an interesting matchup prospect. Previously, Covington had called out both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Makhachev before. Nurmagomedov has retired from MMA and now coaches fighters from Dagestan. Only time will tell if Makhachev will fight either Colby or Edwards in a welterweight showdown.

Islam Makhachev eyes Justin Gaethje instead of rematches

Lightweight champion and #1 pound-for-pound Islam Makhachev recently won against Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski. He was set to face Charles Olivera at UFC 294, but the latter incurred a cut in training. Volkanovski was thus cued in for a short-notice bout.

Having defended his lightweight title again, Makhachev wants a move to welterweight against the winner of Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington. He also invoked Justin Gaethje as a possible interest.

Oliveira, on the other hand, has indicated wanting his chance at the title shot. Similarly, top contender Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and rising prospect Arman Tsarukyan have also divulged such aspirations. Recently, Makhachev himself commended them as good choices but dismissed their chances of winning the title.

In a recent interview, the lightweight champion said he was keen on giving Gaethje a chance rather than Oliveira or anyone else. His supposed matchup with Oliveira, and consequently with that of Volkanovski, were both rematches. Hence, the fighter now aims for a new venture with Gaethje.

In case you missed it:

• WATCH: Conor McGregor directs ‘fighting words’ at Islam Makhachev in recent public event
• “He has laid claim to the title shot,” Former double champ explains how Arman Tsarukyan can lay claim to Islam Makhachev title fight with UFC 300

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