Islam Makhachev’s Largest Shortcoming Uncovered as Harsh Actuality of Combating Leon Edwards Uncovered

Former UFC light-weight champion Rafael dos Anjos has been with the UFC since 2008. The Brazilian holds the very best cumulative struggle time within the UFC at 9 hours, having fought a variety of the highest light-weight and welterweight contenders. He was even on the cusp of turning into a double champion, having confronted (and misplaced a unanimous determination to) Colby Covington for the interim 170-pound title. With all his expertise at shifting up and combating at 170 beneath his belt, it’s price analyzing his opinion on light-weight champ Islam Makhachev shifting as much as welterweight.

‘RDA’ thinks dimension drawback could be an excessive amount of for Islam Makhchev at 170

Islam Makhachev made his third light-weight title protection at UFC 302 in opposition to the legendary Dustin Poirier final month. With this, he has equaled the report for essentially the most 155-pound title defenses. Not solely does Makahchev wish to make historical past by breaking this report however he additionally additionally desires to be a double champion.

The Dagestani has been calling for a shot at welterweight champion Leon Edwards since early final yr, eager to relive the euphoria and excessive of successful a title for the primary time as soon as. RDA joined Submission Radio for an interview, the place he was requested what he manufactured from the prospects of a possible Islam Makhachev vs. Leon Edwards bout at 170.

The previous champ identified the plain dimension distinction between the 2 champions and felt it could most likely be an excessive amount of for Makhachev to beat. ‘RDA’ clarified that he felt the dimensions could be a decisive think about a possible Edwards-Makahchev bout since Dustin Poirier, who began within the featherweight division was capable of practically go the space with Makahchev at UFC 302.

“When you move up and go straight for the title, of course, you have a bigger chance to become a champion. But I don’t think Islam, is in a very good momentum right now, but I don’t think he can beat Leon Edwards and become a double champ… I just think like the size difference. Leon uh is a much bigger guy. And we see smaller guys like Poirier giving Islam a lot of trouble,” Rafael dos Anjos mentioned.

For now, nonetheless, each Makhachev and ‘Rocky’ are gearing as much as defend their respective titles in opposition to harmful contenders.

Edwards and Islam Makhachev are set to defend titles quickly

Leon Edwards will defend his title in opposition to #2 ranked welterweight, Belal Muhammad, who’s on a ten-fight undefeated streak in the primary occasion of UFC 304. Edwards can have the house benefit because the July 28 card is about to happen on the Co-op Area in Manchester, England.

Whereas the Englishman is the favourite going into the bout, Belal is a wonderful grappler, and the matchup is a really actual problem to Edwards’ pure placing model of combating.

And whereas Islam Makhachev has a extra favorable matchup, going up in opposition to fellow grappler Arman Tsarukyan subsequent, the Armenian is as harmful on the ft as he proved in opposition to Beneil Dariush final yr. Whereas each have confronted one another as soon as earlier than within the octagon, it was many moons in the past, with a 22-year-old Tsarukyan making his UFC debut.

Makhachev, undoubtedly, has plans to grow to be a two-division champion, however a rematch in opposition to Tsarukyan will take a look at all his expertise, because the Armenian has improved by leaps and bounds since their final struggle.