Daniel Cormier thinks Islam Makhachev has a lot to lose at UFC 322.
Although Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is challenging welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in Saturday’s headliner (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+/FX, ESPN+) at Madison Square Garden in New York, Cormier sees a lot at stake for his former teammate.
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Makhachev relinquished his UFC lightweight title for a move up to 170 pounds but finds himself the betting favorite against Della Maddalena.
“I mean, you always put the pressure on the champion, right?” Cormier told MMA Junkie Radio. “You’re the one who has the potential to lose the belt. That would be the easy answer. The pressure is on Islam. Islam Makhachev is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. People expect him to win in what is a very difficult fight. This will be the toughest fight of his career, but people expect him still to get the job done.
“That’s where there’s pressure, and you’re the guy who left your belt to go pursue another one. So, pressure is on Islam because going into the fight this weekend, everybody knows he gave up the belt. So in their minds, they still view him as a champion. You go lose to Jack, now for the first time in a really long time, you’re not the champion in any way, shape or form.”
Makhachev defended his belt a UFC lightweight record four times before opting to chase a second belt. The 34-year-old said he likely sees himself staying at welterweight regardless of the outcome.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 322: More pressure on Islam Makhachev or Jack Della Maddalena?
