Islam Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier in the principle occasion of UFC 302 final night time. Along with his fifth spherical D’Arce choke sealing the deal, eyes instantly seemed forward to the subsequent struggle for the UFC’s pound for pound king. Listed here are the highest three choices for Makhachev going ahead.
The Superfight: Islam Makhachev vs. Leon Edwards
After lacking out on Anderson Silva vs. Geroges St-Pierre, I’ll name for as many champ versus champ fights as is sensible. Islam Makhachev vs. Leon Edwards is sensible. Leon Edwards is at present scheduled to tackle Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in two months time. He’s beat the previous pound for pound primary fighter in Kamaru Usman, twice, and Colby Covington in his final outing. Ought to he get previous Muhammad, every little thing must be put into Leon Edwards vs. Islam Makhachev at 170.
Leon Edwards is a staunch anti-wrestler in a division stuffed with grapplers. Seeing him tackle the Dagestani dynasty and giving Islam Makhachev the chance to struggle for a second belt, one thing his predecessor Khabib Nurmagomedov by no means did, would let Islam Makhachev out from Khabib’s shadow. Makhachev is at present primary within the pound for pound rankings. Leon Edwards is quantity three. Very similar to the Makhachev-Volkanovski struggle, this one is among the many greatest fights the UFC could make.
The light-weight possibility: Arman Tsarukyan
If the timeline doesn’t work out, say Edwards will get a bit of beat up in opposition to Muhammad, Makhachev would doubtless have to remain at light-weight. I don’t see him preventing for something lower than the 170 title. This is able to name for Arman Tsarukyan to be the subsequent in line for the title shot. Islam Makhachev and Tsarukyan fought means again in 2019 when Tsarukyan stepped in on brief discover for Francisco Trinaldo. Makhachev received that struggle however it was not straightforward.
Since that loss, Makhachev has gone on a tear beating names like Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Matt Frevola, and struggling an in depth loss to Mateusz Gamrot. In his final two fights, nevertheless, Tsarukyan has had his greatest wins by beating Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira. This has put him because the primary contender within the light-weight division and the plain subsequent alternative for Islam Makhachev.
The lengthy shot: Mateusz Gamrot
Mateusz Gamrot is an odd decide for Islam Makhachev. He’s had his ups and downs, struggling some robust losses to fighters like Beneil Dariush and Guam Kutateladze. However he’s additionally obtained that aforementioned win over Tsarukyan. After his Dariush loss, nevertheless Gamrot has received three straight. Jalin Turner, Rafael Fiziev and Rafael Dos Anjos have all been overwhelmed by Gamrot giving him his present win streak.
Gamrot would get the Makhachev struggle by strategy of elimination. Tsarukyan must cross on the struggle for some purpose or one other. Makhachev additionally already has a win over him and over second ranked Charles Oliveira. Oliveira can be coming off of a loss as is Justin Gaethje, the third ranked possibility. Dustin Poirier simply misplaced and is more likely to fall out of his fourth ranked spot which leaves Mateusz Gamrot.
Gamrot is an ADCC European champion with a terrific grappling pedigree however a spotty report. It might be a enjoyable match, it might suck. Tsarukyan is most popular, however Gamrot might be a viable various.
