Media Islam Says He's Open to being a 2-division champ!

[FIghtxIQ]

I could see him keeping it on the feet and competing in a stand up fight with a past prime 36 year old welterweight. Right now, Usman beats him, but maybe not in a couple years.
I think Khamzat is going to end up a MW.

I could see that 100%
Usman is at that age. Heavyweights, and to some degree LHW fighters can stick around in their late 30's, but in divisions where speed is such a big thing, 35 is sorta the end of the road usually.

Depends on the fighter. Lots of high level boxers and even champions late 30s and 40s. Life style and smarter training could be the biggest factors of staying competitive at a later age.

 

[BEATDOWNS]

Schmoe asks him at the post-fight presser if he'd be willing to go up to 170 to become a double-champ (after getting the LW strap and 1 title defense)

He visibly looked excited by this....he said for now he's focused on getting the LW belt but smiles and adds:

"we'll see, why not? I'm thinking about this. I have to sit with my team and talk about this, because i want some challenge you know."

Future 2 division champ.

Gotta win one belt first before ya start talking about a second one.

 

[bloodyknuck]

I want to see Oliviera get the backpack on him and choke him out- or pull a triangle from bottom - war Olives-

 

[GeneTunney7]

It's possible, as Usman and Khamzat are both talking going up or not staying at welter for a long time. That leaves Colby and Rakhmonov as the guys as see being 'the future'. I think Islam would have a good chance against both. Islam taking that lone loss may help his longevity too - it seems some undefeated fighters start worrying about keeping that '0' more than letting it rip and taking on dangerous fights: see how different Mayweather and Canelo conducted their careers.

 

[asdf122345]

He can't beat Usman. lol.

 

[Goosemen]

Islam and Khamzat will happen one day

 

[humdizzle]

i dont think he could beat usman or khamzat. the size difference is just too big. he'd probably burn himself out trying to take usman down.

but i'd love to see it.

we need to see more d1 or d2 usa guys vs dagestanis.

 

[Goosemen]

Islam is HUGE LW, much bigger than Khabib. If he filled out, he'd be a legit threat to Usman or Khamzat.

 

[Johnnny]

There is no way Khabib would allow Islam to fight at welterweight. If anything, Khabib would push Islam to go down to featherweight. That would be an impossible cut for Islam, but the scale in Abu Dhabi could be "fixed" to balance at 145, so he wouldn't have to cut all of the weight.

 

[NoSmilez]

You can't be so dismissive towards Olives.

 

[Aurelian]

Khamzat might go to MW not long after he wins the belt or at least I think that's the plan. Shavkat though, good luck.

 

[ilfirin]

He would not fare well against Khamzat. And I love Makhachev.

 

[Goosemen]

I think Islam vs. Khamzat at WW is a close one. Islam is more proven.

Look at how much smaller Khamzat is than his advertised 6 foot 2, Jones is listed at 6 foot 4

 

[Iroh]

Let's not forget about Shavkat too, besides Khamzat and Usman.

 

[BrockLesnarsTurtleBack]

Usman is a very hard fight for literally everyone in the ufc. Not sure I love that matchup for islam

For Ngannou too?

 

[JKS]

I think Islam vs. Khamzat at WW is a close one. Islam is more proven.

Look at how much smaller Khamzat is than his advertised 6 foot 2, Jones is listed at 6 foot 4

No no, it's Jones who's actually 6'7.

 

[Oz.Pride]

Khamzat mauls him giggling all the way and yelling at Dana about Brock Lesnar

 

[Chagaev]

If the fight against RDA is made, some mmath will be available for the specialists.

I wouldn't count Islam out against Usman, though I wouldn't say he's a favorite or anything like that either.

But he brings something different to the table than Jorge or Colby, which Usman keeps fighting since he took the belt from a washed up Woodley. At the very least Islam would be a new type of opponent that I'd like to see Usman deal with.

 

[SkinnyClaw]

He looks a little bigger and a little taller than Khabib to me.
He looked like an absolute tank in the Bobby Green fight. I think he's probably bigger than Colby, and would do well at 170. I can see him doing what Maia did, and more.
If RDA could go up and do well, Islam definitely could too, and by the time he'd get to fighting for a belt, Usman would be gone. I don't predict it will ever happen, but it's possible.

 

[Goosemen]

He's about 2 inches taller than Khabib even though they're advertised as the same height and carries a lot of muscle.