Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje and more: 5 UFC stars who could test new lightweight champion Islam Makhachev

This weekend saw a new UFC lightweight champion crowned, as Islam Makhachev produced a flawless performance to knock down and submit former kingpin Charles Oliveira. In doing so, he claimed the belt once held by his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Islam Makhachev will hope to have a dominant reign as UFC lightweight champion, but with 155lbs being a stacked division, there is no shortage of fighters who could test him in a title bout.

Whether some or all of these fighters end up facing off with the Dagestani is anyone’s guess, as anything can happen in the UFC. Regardless, though, any of them could produce a great fight with the new champion.

Here are five UFC stars who could test new lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

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#5. Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski

Alexander Volkanovski appears to be first in line for Islam Makhachev

After their staredown following Islam Makhachev’s lightweight title win at UFC 280 this weekend, it looks very much like featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski will be first in the queue to fight the new champion.

Sure, it’s arguable that ‘Alexander the Great’, who has not fought at 155lbs since his octagon debut back in 2016, is jumping a very lengthy queue. However, based on his accomplishments at 145lbs, it’s also hard to deny him this kind of opportunity.

Put simply, Volkanovski is probably the greatest featherweight in MMA history at this point, holding victories over Max Holloway, Joe Aldo, Brian Ortega and Chad Mendes. However, does his game mesh with Makhachev’s enough to give him a shot?

It’s debatable. After all, he’ll be giving up a lot of size and power to the Dagestani. More importantly, he’s never faced a wrestler the caliber of the new champion, too.

Despite this, though, Volkanovski is a remarkably cerebral striker who has picked apart some of the best in the game. His takedown defense , as well as his ability to avoid submissions, has looked fantastic over the years.

There are probably tougher tests out there for Makhachev right now, but Volkanovski will definitely push him hard assuming they face off. I should make for a great matchup.

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#4. Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier

Dustin Poirier's pressure-boxing game makes him a genuine threat to the lightweight title

With Conor McGregor currently on ice – it’s been confirmed that the Irishman will need six months of USADA drug testing before any octagon return – it’s arguable that the biggest star in the UFC’s lightweight division is Dustin Poirier, who beat ‘The Notorious’ twice in 2021.

‘The Diamond’ is one of the lightweight division’s most accomplished fighters. He's defeated the likes of McGregor, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez and Anthony Pettis in recent years. He also held the interim lightweight title in 2019.

Poirier is coming off a loss to Charles Oliveira in his last bout, a fight that saw him come up short in his quest to claim the undisputed title. However, with his next fight booked for November against Michael Chandler, a big win could put him in line for a crack at Islam Makhachev.

How does ‘The Diamond’ match with the new champion? It’s an interesting question. On one hand, he does have a history of falling short in title bouts and was dominated by Khabib Nurmagomedov when they faced off in 2019.

On the other hand, though, his takedown defense is usually excellent and his pressure-boxing game is second to none in the UFC’s lightweight division right now, as is his punching power. With Makhachev’s stand-up still being a little raw, that could give Poirier a big chance.

Obviously ‘The Diamond’ will need to overcome Chandler first, but if he can put himself in line for a possible title shot, then he could definitely provide Makhachev with a difficult test.

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#3. Islam Makhachev vs. Beneil Dariush

Beneil Dariush is riding one of the lightweight division's most impressive win streaks

While he doesn’t hold the name value of some of the other fighters on this list, Beneil Dariush is probably closer to a title shot than most of them.

The Iranian-born fighter is currently riding a lengthy win streak to rival that of new champion Islam Makhachev. He’s won his last eight bouts and hasn’t lost since suffering an upset knockout at the hands of Alexander Hernandez in 2018.

Dariush recently dispatched the very tough Mateusz Gamrot, and while he didn’t finish ‘Gamer’, he came close with a heavy overhand right in the third round of their clash. So could he take the fight to Makhachev in a possible title bout?

There’s no reason why he couldn’t. Sure, he doesn’t possess the same kind of explosive athleticism that the champion does and he’d be giving up the advantage in the wrestling department. However, Dariush is a dangerous and varied striker. On the ground, he’s somewhat of a wizard with numerous Brazilian jiu-jitsu accolades to his name.

Makhachev would definitely be favored in this potential fight. After all, he wiped the floor with an even more proven grappler in Charles Oliveira. However, Dariush is a proven, high-level fighter who could definitely provide him with a tricky match.

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#2. Islam Makhachev vs. Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler could move into title contention with a win over Dustin Poirier later this year

One fighter in the lightweight division who definitely has the right kind of style to test new kingpin Islam Makhachev is former Bellator MMA champion Michael Chandler.

‘Iron Mike’ burst onto the scene in the UFC with a debut knockout of Dan Hooker in early 2021. While he then suffered a pair of losses to Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje, he bounced back earlier this year with a vicious front-kick finish of Tony Ferguson.

His next bout is actually set for next month as he’ll face off with Dustin Poirier. If he can come out on top in that clash, then there’s definitely the possibility that he’ll find himself in line for a crack at Makhachev’s title.

Interestingly, ‘Iron Mike’ would, on paper at least, match with the Dagestani fighter well. He’s a phenomenal wrestler and could potentially stop Makhachev’s takedowns. On the feet, he’s not only a better technician than the new champ, but he probably hits harder too.

The problem for Chandler in this potential fight is his durability, as he doesn’t seem to be able to weather the punishment that he once did. That’s understandable given the damage he’s taken over the years.

However, with the one-punch knockout power to turn the lights off on any fighter in the lightweight division, he could definitely be a pretty scary opponent for Makhachev if he gets there.

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#1. Islam Makhachev vs. Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje definitely has the style to provide Islam Makhachev with a stern test

While he might need to pick up a big win in his next bout to climb back into title contention, it’s arguable that the fighter who could provide Islam Makhachev with his most difficult test is Justin Gaethje.

‘The Highlight’ was last seen suffering a devastating loss to Charles Oliveira in their long-awaited title bout. However, the skillset he possesses definitely looks like potential kryptonite for the new titleholder.

Firstly, Gaethje hits ridiculously hard, even compared to other heavy-handed lightweights like Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler. The shots he used to dispatch Donald Cerrone and Edson Barboza were scary, and he practically ended the top-level career of Tony Ferguson with the beating he put on him in 2020.

More importantly, Gaethje also boasts fantastic takedown defense, with only Khabib Nurmagomedov really being able to crack through it. When you add in his vicious leg kicks, something he used to have brief success against Khabib, then it’s easy to imagine him putting Makhachev on the back foot.

Sure, it’s fair to say that he did look a little rusty and less able to weather punishment in his bout with Oliveira. Also, Khabib obviously did overcome him eventually in their clash, putting him to sleep with a triangle choke. Those issues would probably make Makhachev the favourite.

However, on paper at least, Gaethje’s skills would make him a tricky opponent for the new champion, and if he can get back into contention, he could well prove to be a genuine threat to Makhachev’s reign.