The Only Fight That Matters: Makhachev vs. Khamzat at Middleweight

[smashhh]

Ilia Topuria can’t make welterweight — and even if he somehow did, the fight would be completely one-sided. It would be total domination for Makhachev. I’m sure he could submit Topuria, and the worst-case scenario for Makhachev would still be a comfortable 50–45 decision. So that’s really not a matchup anyone needs to see.


What would actually excite fans is seeing Makhachev face someone big, strong, and also an elite wrestler. I think Usman would have been a very tough matchup for him, but he seems to have lost some of his passion, and at 38 years old, I don’t think he can withstand five rounds of relentless chain wrestling anymore.


But Khamzat vs. Makhachev at middleweight? Now that would be incredibly interesting. I don’t think Khamzat could ragdoll Islam the way he did with some of his previous opponents. And if he can’t take Makhachev down easily — or even if he does once or twice — I believe Islam would find a way back to his feet. The real question is: can Khamzat maintain his cardio for five rounds without being able to dominate from top position?


This is the only fight that truly matters — both for Makhachev and for Khamzat.

 

[TriangleMonkey]

I wanna see the wrestling of Bo Nickal vs Chimaev’s

Even though Chimmy could prob just KO Bo

 

[HHJ]

They aint never ever never doin this one.

 

[smashhh]

I wanna see the wrestling of Bo Nickal vs Chimaev’s

Even though Chimmy could prob just KO Bo

Yeah, that would be interesting too, but I honestly believe Khamzat could take him down. It’s not a pure wrestling match — after a minute or two of striking, Khamzat could shoot, get him to the ground, and win that fight.

 

[RichardHarrow]

I don’t think either fighter makes 185 tbh

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

Islamic critical mass! With no infidel to root against, how will the Bathtubbers get excited?

 

[HHJ]

Islamic critical mass! With no infidel to root against, how will the Bathtubbers get excited?

Are you kidding? This would be awesome to see, but I dont think they will do it.


1) I honestly think they dont want to inflame Chechen/Dagestani tensions first and foremost

2) There really is enough to eat for everyone.

 

[hbombbisping]

Can Islam go all to way to heavy weight and win a title?

 

[jeskola]

Ilia Topuria can’t make welterweight — and even if he somehow did, the fight would be completely one-sided. It would be total domination for Makhachev. I’m sure he could submit Topuria, and the worst-case scenario for Makhachev would still be a comfortable 50–45 decision. So that’s really not a matchup anyone needs to see.


What would actually excite fans is seeing Makhachev face someone big, strong, and also an elite wrestler. I think Usman would have been a very tough matchup for him, but he seems to have lost some of his passion, and at 38 years old, I don’t think he can withstand five rounds of relentless chain wrestling anymore.


But Khamzat vs. Makhachev at middleweight? Now that would be incredibly interesting. I don’t think Khamzat could ragdoll Islam the way he did with some of his previous opponents. And if he can’t take Makhachev down easily — or even if he does once or twice — I believe Islam would find a way back to his feet. The real question is: can Khamzat maintain his cardio for five rounds without being able to dominate from top position?


This is the only fight that truly matters — both for Makhachev and for Khamzat.

What a horrible post. The last thing we need is more weight classing jumping from the champs. People saying Ilia should go to WW and fight Islam, Islam should go to MW and fight Khamzat, Khamzat should go to LHW and fight Poatan, Poatan should go to HW and fight Tom or Jon. Its insanity. Let these guys stay and defend, all this jumping around is bad for the sport. It weakens the fighters' legacy, makes it more difficult to book title fights, screws over the rest of the top contenders in the division, and just confuses and muddles up the champion situation. We had Islam out there parading around with two belts this weekend like he is still the LW champ which some may view him as, its ridiculous.

 

[ArtardFiesta]

khamzat is too big and strong. he rapes islam like he's done everyoene else.

 

[burningspear]

Islam did remarkably well, moving up to secure a 2nd belt, now you suggest a 3rd lol its never enough

 

[HHJ]

Islam did remarkably well, moving up to secure a 2nd belt, now you suggest a 3rd lol its never enough

Someone even at the post fight presser asked him this


Islam is like "uuuuuuuugh relax brather"

 

[C0NCH3TO]

More like Chimaev vs Islam at welter. Islam
is too tiny for 185, just like Topuria would be at 170 lbs.

 

[usernamee]

1) I honestly think they dont want to inflame Chechen/Dagestani tensions first and foremost

No fucking way they care about that lmao. If there were no other fights to make and this was the easily biggest and best they could make then they would do it.

 

[Benoitthegr8]

Nah, too much risk for either of them, both are perfectly happy how things are

 

[HHJ]

No fucking way they care about that lmao. If there were no other fights to make and this was the easily biggest and best they could make then they would do it.

Who is THEY

 

[Hezekiah]

If they were the same size Machachev beats him, but asking him to go to a third divisionat 34 is a bit too much.

 

[usernamee]

Who is THEY

I thought you meant they as in the UFC

Anyways I'm pretty sure Chimmy has been open to fighting Islam and I seem to remember Islam always not completely shutting down the idea of that fight before but maybe he has said different things

 

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

Ilia Topuria can’t make welterweight — and even if he somehow did, the fight would be completely one-sided. It would be total domination for Makhachev. I’m sure he could submit Topuria, and the worst-case scenario for Makhachev would still be a comfortable 50–45 decision. So that’s really not a matchup anyone needs to see.


What would actually excite fans is seeing Makhachev face someone big, strong, and also an elite wrestler. I think Usman would have been a very tough matchup for him, but he seems to have lost some of his passion, and at 38 years old, I don’t think he can withstand five rounds of relentless chain wrestling anymore.


But Khamzat vs. Makhachev at middleweight? Now that would be incredibly interesting. I don’t think Khamzat could ragdoll Islam the way he did with some of his previous opponents. And if he can’t take Makhachev down easily — or even if he does once or twice — I believe Islam would find a way back to his feet. The real question is: can Khamzat maintain his cardio for five rounds without being able to dominate from top position?


This is the only fight that truly matters — both for Makhachev and for Khamzat.

They aint never ever never doin this one.

It won't happen, Khamzat is moving up to 205

 

[HHJ]

I thought you meant they as in the UFC

Anyways I'm pretty sure Chimmy has been open to fighting Islam and I seem to remember Islam always not completely shutting down the idea of that fight before but maybe he has said different things

oh yeah the UFC dont give two shits, they would make brothers fight brothers, husbands and wives for a buck.


Im sure chechnya would love the rub of beating the top dagestani, but I can see the hesitation, esp since both are in different weight classes and eating well.

There's a united front right now, and I can see how they'd wanna keep it that way.