"It's all based on what Islam wants"- Coach Javier Mendez talks about Islam Makhachev's potential future at welterweight

After submitting Charles Oliveira to become the new UFC lightweight champion, it seems as though Islam Makhachev is finally getting the respect he deserves.

Islam Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez, was recently a guest on The Schmozone, where he predicted what the future could look like for the Dagestani. Mendez mentioned that among the possibilities for the reigning lightweight champion is a potential move to welterweight.

“It’s all based on what Islam wants and what the UFC will allow you to do and what they want. After Volkanovski title defense, which I’m expecting we’re going to win. No easy feat by any means, he’s pound-for-pound but I feel we’re going to beat him. And then, I think he’ll probably defend (against) Beneil (Dariush). I think Beneil is deserving of the next title shot…hundred percent. I think he was deserving of this one but politics being the way they are, eyeballs are going to be more on Alex going up in weight and challenging Islam than they will Beneil, so that’s the way…you guys know it’s the entertainment first and that’s big eyeballs in entertainment.”

Naturally, the question will be raised on how Makhachev will look at 170lbs and whether his skills could translate into a heavier weight-division. The AKA coach alluded to the Dagestani’s stature and believes that he’ll be fine competing at welterweight:

“Look how he’s talking, ‘I want to defend the title, I want to do this and then I want to go up to welterweight division, etc., etc.’ don’t doubt him. Don’t doubt him, do not doubt him. If he says that’s what he wants to do, he can definitely carry it because as it is, 155, he’s a big 155er. So for 170, he’s not a small welterweight…will not be a small welterweight when that time comes.”

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Who are potential opponents for Islam Makhachev at welterweight?

A welterweight move may be inevitable for Makhachev as he has not shied away from saying that he would be dominant at 170lbs. Earlier this year, he was confident that he would have no problems defeating Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal on the same night.

If the lightweight champion were to commit to a welterweight move, there wouldn’t be a shortage of great matchups for him. There are plenty of welterweights that have great wrestling backgrounds that could make for very intriguing fights.

Fighters such as Covington, Khamzat Chimaev, and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman have the ability and skillset to match up with the reigning lightweight champion at 170lbs.

You can see Javier Mendez's predictions below: