Islam Makhachev has been warned his grappling expertise may not translate so well when he makes his welterweight climb.
Set to make good on his mooted welterweight move later this year, Makhachev is expected to challenge for gold from the get-go.
And bringing prior lightweight title experience with him to 170lbs, Russian star Makhachev was more than dominant during his roughshod run at the weight class.
But as far as welterweight kingpin, Jack Della Maddalena is concerned, Makhachev may struggle more than most in his move up a division.
Islam Makhachev warned he’s ‘too little’ for success at welterweight
Welcoming a slew of past featherweights to his title in recent years, Makhachev will now play the role of incoming chaser from a division lower.
However, Australian star Della Maddalena remains confident of bucking the trend and ending Makhachev’s stunning run — largely through his size advantage, too.
“We saw what Volk (Alexander Volkanovski) did to him,” Della Maddalena said.
“I’m gonna get him (Islam Makhachev). He’s too little. He’s too little, I’m going to get him,” Della Maddalena explained during an Eternal MMA event.
Yet to really lay out his chances of beating Della Maddalena for gold, Makhachev has a particular timeframe in mind for the clash, however.
Islam Makhachev floats New York title fight with Jack Della Maddalena
Landing a record-setting win at lightweight back at UFC 311, Makhachev has now set sail from the division — with rival Ilia Topuria taking over in his place.
Still not ruling out a return to 155lbs, Makhachev wants to fight before the end of the year at the welterweight limit.
And to boot, eyes a debut outing at Madison Square Garden for his first venture to the welterweight championship.
“I asked him (Dana White) if we have some opportunity to fight in Madison Square Garden,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie. “It would be an honor for me to fight in the biggest arena for MMA and boxing. Legendary arena.”
And it’s not just Della Maddalena offering some words of warning. Dustin Poirier warns Islam Makhachev that he may fall short at welterweight, too