‘DC’ does not think three-weight title glory is on the cards for Islam Makhachev.
The Dagestani has already done what his mentor, the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, did not attempt by winning UFC gold at both welterweight and lightweight.
After a lengthy reign at 155 pounds, Makhachev dethroned Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last November before successfully defending the 170-pound belt against Ian Machado Garry this past August.
The 34-year-old has previously suggested he could be open to another weight switch in pursuit of becoming the first three-division UFC champion, but Daniel Cormier would give him no chance of success.
What more does Islam Makhachev have to do to be considered the greatest fighter of all time? 🤔
Daniel Cormier rejects the notion Islam Makhachev could become a three-weight UFC champion
Makhachev received arguably the toughest test of his record-breaking winning streak last time out against Garry.
The Irishman caused issues with his size, so much so that Cormier has no issue completely writing off any chance of the welterweight champ replicating his title success at 185 pounds.
Cormier has long been one of Makhachev’s biggest supporters, having trained alongside him at the American Kickboxing Academy. But even ‘DC’ won’t entertain the idea of the Dagestani becoming middleweight king.
“Islam, 170 (pounds) is as high as he can go,” Cormier said during a video uploaded to his YouTube channel.
“There was talk a while ago of Islam going to 185. He can’t go to 185, he’s too small. Islam used 100 percent of what he was in that last fight to beat Ian Garry, because Ian Garry is so big.
“The next guy he’s gonna fight, he’s gonna have to use 100 percent of who he is to beat that person, because they’re just big, and size does matter in any combat sport,” he added.
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There’s been no indication that Makhachev is still pondering a potential middleweight venture, especially after being given just about all he could handle from Garry in Chicago.
For now, the Russian star is expected to put his focus on Carlos Prates, who looks to have beaten Michael Morales to the next shot at the welterweight title.
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