Former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Latten believes Islamic Makhachev could become the first fighter to control three different divisions of the octagon.
After establishing itself, if not the lightest, ever, the “Dagestani Destroyer” chose to expel the 155-pound crown and challenge the newly-built welter-class title holder, Jack Della Madarena. But why does it stop there?
In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Rutten spoke about Makhachev’s great potential in heavier weight classes and whether he could become the fighter to become the only triple champion in the UFC.
“It’s a crazy time, but guys are weird animals,” Rutten said. “Such a guy can be a guy who’s going to say, ‘I want three weight classes’. These fighters are very tough… I think he’ll weigh even stronger than he’s lighter.
“I think he can do it, but Ian Garry, all these guys you just said, they’re really good people. Ian has really great ring moves, he knows how to get away from the takedown.
“JDM” and Islam Makhachev have not lost the fight for nearly 10 years
Of course, Makhachev’s position as a future champion champion champ depends on how he plays against Della Madalena, a fighter who hasn’t lost a match in nearly a decade, like Daguestani.
With “JDM” making five hard rounds against Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, the official date for the inevitable clash with Makhachev has not been announced, but the fight is expected to decrease in 2025, except for an unexpected setback.