Islam Makhachev has a bold trip to the UFC Welterweight division and has received advice from unlikely sources in advance.
Makhachev is a longtime UFC lightweight champion. He claimed the belt in his victory in 2022, submitting to record-breaking Charles Oliveira, defending the belt in a victory over Alexander Volkanovsky (twice), Dustin Poilier and Renato Moicano. These victories helped establish Russia as a 1-pound, 1-pound fighter in the UFC. He also set him up for a shot in the UFC welterweight title.
Until recently, the welterweight belt was held by Makhachev’s friend, Beral Muhammad. Makhachev refused to fight Muhammad, but after the Palestinian American lost his belt to Jack Della Maddalena earlier this month, he is now officially heading to welterweight. He even has a lightweight belt open and is expected to step into a title shot against the new champion.
Switching weight classes is not easy and often ends in a disaster.
One fighter who is well aware of the struggle is Tony Ferguson. Ferguson started his UFC career as welterweight and eventually moved to lighter weight after returning to welterweight. Interestingly, he was one of the most fierce rivals of Makhachev’s UFC mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Ferguson and Nürmagomedov never really fought, but they were the lightest of the UFC’s clear No. 1 and 2 year. Meanwhile, they were scheduled to compete in the absurd five rounds, but bookings fell on their own attempts.
Given the unfinished business between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson, it may be surprising to see the former giving Makhachev advice. But that’s what he did in a recent interview with veteran MMA reporter Helen Yi.
Tony Ferguson has spoken to Islamic Mahachev to 170 and is a better grappler between Islam and Khabib.
A complete interview with @tonyfergusonxt Here: https://t.co/shrqhvokzu pic.twitter.com/fhti6c2oft– Helen Yee (@helenyeesports) May 28, 2025
