Islam Makhachev dismisses ‘nightmare’ matchup when naming who will be the next welterweight champion

Islam Makhachev isn’t concerned by Yaroslav Amosov’s UFC run.

Makhachev still plans to compete several more times after successfully defending his welterweight title for the first time.

This means that we will get to see how the former 155-pound titleholder matches up with several different contenders.

Makhachev may be hoping to fight again in the near future, but believes that he’s already beaten the man that will hold the belt when he steps away.

Islam Makhachev will strengthen his case as one of the greatest of all time if he’s able to continue beating contenders in the welterweight division.

While some of them will have size and power advantages over him, the Russian’s wrestling is still a difficult skillset to match.

The champion’s dominant grappling is exactly why Yaroslav Amosov was called a “nightmare” matchup for Makhachev, with the argument that the Ukrainian could match him in this department.

As the top fighter in the sport, the welterweight titleholder isn’t quite as concerned.

“I don’t think he is a dangerous opponent,” Makhachev told Ushatayka, in a clip reposted by Home of Fight. “I already saw his fight where someone stopped his wrestling”

Makhachev is seemingly referring to the one loss on Amosov’s record, where he lost his Bellator belt to Jason Jackson.

The champion expanded upon his point by naming a different welterweight that he believes is “more dangerous and serious” than Amosov.

Makhachev praised Ian Machado Garry a lot after they shared the Octagon in August.

While he puts Michael Morales, Carlos Prates, and Shavkat Rakhmonov on the same level, he believes the Irishman will take the top spot in the division when he’s no longer there.

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In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Ian Machado Garry’s coach reflected on his loss to Islam Makhachev in Philadelphia.

Diego Lima believes the challenger fought very well but could have potentially knocked the champion out if he’d been more aggressive.

The Irishman received some criticism after the fight for not fully capitalizing on an opportunity that he may not get again.

Lima doesn’t share this concern, believing that “we’re going to have that belt next year.”