UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has long teased the possibility of moving up to welterweight, and recent interviews have only intensified speculation. But the question remains: Is this a smart move — or a dangerous gamble?

Let’s break it down.

Legacy Ambition or Weight-Class Distraction?

There’s no doubt Makhachev is cleaning out the 155-lb division. With back-to-back wins over former champ Charles Oliveira and pound-for-pound king Alexander Volkanovski, the Dagestani phenom has cemented his dominance at lightweight. Now, the call for “champ-champ” status grows louder.

A successful move to 170 would elevate his legacy to rarefied air — following in the footsteps of Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre, Amanda Nunes, and Daniel Cormier. But as history shows, jumping weight classes isn’t always a seamless transition.

The Pros: Why It Makes Sense

Size & Strength
Makhachev has always been a big lightweight, often cutting significant weight to make 155. His frame could easily support the extra pounds, and the added muscle might help his already smothering grappling style translate well to welterweight.

 Wrestling Edge
Most current top-10 welterweights aren’t elite wrestlers — and that’s exactly where Makhachev thrives. Against strikers like Leon Edwards or Stephen Thompson, Makhachev’s grappling-heavy approach could neutralize the stand-up threat.

 Momentum and Timing
At 32 years old and in peak physical condition, now may be the perfect time to take the risk. His stock is at an all-time high, and a win at welterweight could catapult him into “GOAT” conversation.

The Cons: Why It’s Risky

Power Disadvantage
Welterweights hit harder — plain and simple. While Makhachev is technically sound, fighters like Kamaru Usman, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and even Belal Muhammad carry a level of physicality that could pose a serious threat.

 New Challenges, Less Control
At lightweight, Makhachev is the king — controlling the tempo, the range, and the narrative. At 170, he becomes the hunter again. That shift in control could lead to uncomfortable stylistic matchups and unexpected adversity.

 Legacy Damage if He Loses
A failed attempt at double-champ status may not erase his greatness at lightweight, but it will change how his dominance is perceived. Fighters like Max Holloway and Israel Adesanya learned this the hard way.

What Does Team Khabib Say?

While Islam’s longtime coach Javier Mendez supports the idea “in the right matchup,” whispers from Khabib Nurmagomedov’s camp suggest a more cautious approach. Khabib famously never moved up in weight — instead, he focused on clearing his division with surgical precision.

Will Islam follow that path of total control — or reach for greatness across divisions?

Final Verdict: Calculated Risk Worth Considering

If Islam Makhachev chooses the right opponent — ideally someone ranked but not stylistically dangerous (think Colby Covington or Gilbert Burns) — a move to welterweight could be a brilliant chess move.

But if he jumps straight into a title shot against a heavy-handed striker like Leon Edwards or a dynamic beast like Shavkat Rakhmonov, the gamble gets riskier.

Still, greatness requires risk — and Islam Makhachev may just be bold enough to embrace it.