Islam Makhachev delivered the statement victory his coach was hoping for at UFC 322.
This past Saturday, Makhachev became the 11th two-division champion in UFC history, dominating Jack Della Madalenna to claim the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 322 in New York City. The performance was completely one-sided and, according to his coach Javier Mendez, should firmly reestablish Makhachev as the best fighter in the sport.
Advertisement
“I feel good. I feel that Islam proved that he belongs as No. 1 pound-for-pound,” Mendez told Submission Radio on Sunday. “I think a lot of people thought he was, but now he’s solidified that. I don’t think there should be any question on who the pound-for-pound greatest right now is, and that’s him. And at the rate he’s going, if he continues to go, he may very well end up being the pound-for-pound greatest of all time. But let’s wait to see how we do in our next few fights before we jump that gun.”
In all likelihood, Makhachev will retake the top spot in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings this week, especially given the ease with which he beat Della Maddalena. In fact, it was so one-sided that afterward, several fighters were critical of Della Maddalena’s performance, but Mendez believes that’s the wrong lesson to take from Saturday.
“Make no mistake about it, I told you guys that if we make the fight look easy, it’s because we train hard for it,” Mendez said. “It’s not that Jack isn’t a great champion. He is. It’s just I feel Islam’s at another level out of anybody right now. …
Advertisement
“I noticed that the speed difference between Islam and him was night and day, and I just said right then and there, ‘Matador style.’ It means evade, stay on the outside, and maintain that distance, because Jack, a lot of people aren’t giving him the credit he deserves, because he’s a great fighter. Wait and see what the next person that fights with him — they think they’re going to do what Islam did to him? Good luck.”
As for what’s next for Makhachev, that’s very much up in the air. There is no shortage of possible contenders for the new welterweight champion, including the new lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who already chirped at Makhachev. And if that is ultimately the fight the UFC wants to make, Mendez is ready for that.
“Let’s see what happens. If the UFC offers [Topuria], no problem,” Mendez said. “I can’t answer for Islam, but I’m saying no problem. …. Let’s face it, we’re going to meet him eventually, whether it’s the White House or whether it’s another time, let the UFC decide that. But we’re going to meet him eventually if he wants to continue to come up, but I seriously doubt Islam will want to come down. And for him, it’s the first time anybody will ever go for a triple [champion]. He would be the first triple challenger, so that would be a monster fight for the whole world.”
