A brand new chapter in Islam Makhachev’s UFC profession is about to start.
After a dominant rule over the lightweight division, where he followed in his fellow countryman and mentor’s footsteps, Makhachev now has the prospect to attain something that the good Khabib Nurmagomedov didn’t attempt.
Within the foremost event of UFC 322 this Saturday, Makhachev will challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. Victory would see the Dagestani turn into the newest double champion in the game’s leading promotion, just a couple of months after Ilia Topuria last secured the feat.
The foremost talking point leading as much as the event in Latest York City is how much size will factor into the results of Makhachev’s first foray into the Octagon at 170 kilos.
Joe Rogan, nevertheless, is seemingly amongst those not expecting a difficult adjustment for the challenger.
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Joe Rogan predicted Islam Makhachev could ‘easily’ move as much as welterweight over a 12 months before UFC 322
In actual fact, Rogan suggested that the transition from lightweight to welterweight can be ‘easy’ for Makhachev during a 2024 episode of his podcast, featuring the person Della Maddalena unseated from the throne this past May.
After getting insight into the Dagestani’s size and strength from Belal Muhammad, the longtime UFC color commentator expressed confidence in Makhachev’s ability to succeed up at welterweight if he were to decide on that path.
And greater than just size, Rogan named Makhachev’s striking development as one other factor that may be in his favor. That figures to play a key role in how the UFC 322 foremost event plays out on November 15.
“That’s what I hear,” Rogan said when Muhammad described Makhachev’s strength as that of a 250-pound fighter.
“So he’s losing roughly 30 kilos to make ’55? He’s big. That’s about as big as you’ll be able to get and keep doing that.
“Easily,” he added, referring to if the then-lightweight champ could move as much as welterweight. “He’s got real power now on his feet, which is a brand new addition during the last X amount of years.
“His standup has gotten elite. … He’s probably the most complete fighter on the roster.”
Makhachev ultimately did resolve to pursue a fresh challenge at 170 kilos, and comments from the likes of Nurmagomedov and coach Javier Mendez would suggest he has adjusted to the heavier weight extremely well in training.
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Joe Rogan makes his commentary return at UFC 322
Rogan can have the prospect to observe welterweight Makhachev up close at Madison Square Garden.
The renowned podcaster only works domestic pay-per-views nowadays, meaning he was absent when UFC 321 took place in Abu Dhabi late last month.
However the veteran color commentator will probably be back cageside at Madison Square Garden, making his first appearance since UFC 320 in Las Vegas on October 4.
Rogan will commentate on UFC 322 alongside Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier, with Megan Olivi serving because the event’s roving reporter.