Islam Makhachev’s longtime coach has a surprising name in mind for the UFC lightweight king’s next fight.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev‘s next fight remains a mystery after he defeated Renato Moicano in his most recent title defense at UFC 311. Several big names, including Ilia Topuria and former BMF champ Justin Gaethje, have been tossed around for Makhachev’s next title defense.
Makhachev is expected to return to the Octagon sometime this summer, potentially for the UFC’s International Fight Week card in June. The UFC’s pound-for-pound king has also teased a future move up to either welterweight or middleweight, depending on the result of the upcoming welterweight headliner between teammate Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena.
A superfight with Topuria is at the top of the UFC’s fans’ wish list for Makhachev’s next title defense. After Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from UFC 311 on hours’ notice, he’ll likely have to win at least one fight before returning to the lightweight title shot conversation.
Coach Javier Mendez makes surprising pick for Islam Makhachev’s next fight
Makhachev has dismantled several UFC fan favorites during his lightweight title reign, including wins over Dustin Poirier and two-time UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski. To add to his all-time great legacy, Makhachev could potentially face another big name during his lightweight title reign before he weighs a potential weight class move.
Makhachev’s longtime coach has an intriguing name in mind for the lightweight champion’s next title defense.
In a recent episode of the Javier & Mo Show, Makhachev’s longtime coach Javier Mendez tabbed Paddy Pimblett for the lightweight champion’s next opponent.
“Paddy’s ready to face anybody, what he’s done already, his credentials, his winning record in the UFC and his hype and what he can do and how he can motivate people, if [the UFC] gives him the next title shot, he deserves it,” Mendez said of Pimblett. “So whoever they give it to, they give, so let’s see who they give it to…
“Who gets into the arena with him next? I don’t know. But is [Paddy] worthy? Yes. He’s very interesting and he’s got the whole of England behind him. Most of America will be behind him. He has a lot of fans, and I’m a fan. I wasn’t a big fan at the beginning, I was not, when he fought Jared Gordon…but I’ve become a huge fan.”
Pimblett earned the biggest win of his MMA career last weekend at UFC 314, finishing Michael Chandler inside three rounds and making a strong case for a No. 1 contender fight. Pimblett called out Tsarukyan, Gaethje, Poirier, and Charles Oliveira in his post-fight interview, dismissing a potential clash with Topuria for his next Octagon appearance.
Makhachev’s team is hesitant to grant Topuria an immediate title shot after moving up from featherweight. But the UFC matchmakers could potentially move in that direction, despite Makhachev’s apprehensiveness towards a showdown with Topuria.
Dustin Poirier suggested an alternative for Paddy Pimblett’s next fight
Poirier, in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, suggested Pimblett face former opponent Dan Hooker for his next lightweight test. Hooker was supposed to face Gaethje in a No. 1 contender fight at UFC 313 before withdrawing due to injury.
Poirier is rumored to face BMF titleholder Max Holloway for his UFC retirement fight later this year, and an announcement regarding his last hurrah could be made in the coming weeks. Poirier hasn’t fought since losing to Makhachev at UFC 302 last June.
As for Pimblett, he remains unbeaten in his UFC career with wins over Jared Gordon, King Green, and Chandler. The UK star is quickly approaching the UFC lightweight title mix.
