Makhachev recently captured the 170-pound gold with a dominant performance against Jack Della Maddalena. Makhachev controlled Maddalena during the UFC 322 main event at Madison Square Garden in New York City. His brilliant performance earned him a second UFC title.
The general consensus is that Shavkat Rakhmonov could give Makhachev his toughest test at welterweight. The problem is that Rakhmonov has been inactive due to injuries.
Ushatayka posted a media scrum asking Makhachev about potential title contenders. The welterweight king isn’t sold on Rakhmonov being next in line, but he could be ready for him (via MMAfighting).
“[Shavkat] He hasn’t fought in more than a year,” Makhachev said. “A competitor can’t spend a year with injuries and then come and fight for the title. We said hello, he congratulated me. We just shake hands. If he recovers and the UFC decides he’s next, why not?”
Makhachev has admitted that he prefers to fight Kamaru Usman next. Still, he understands that there are several younger contenders emerging. He thinks it won’t be much longer before UFC matchmakers decide who will be next to challenge for welterweight gold.
“I think the UFC will decide soon,” Makhachev said. “Yesterday there was a good fight. A former champion fought a young guy. I think we have at least three or four contenders now, and soon, probably in about two weeks, it will become clear who the next challenger will be.”
Makhachev, a future UFC Hall of Famer, has said he has no plans to cut down to 155 pounds unless UFC officials make him an offer he can’t refuse. Makhachev said the older he gets, the harder it is for his body to adapt to losing weight.
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