Kevin Holland believes Islam Makhachev would grow to be the welterweight champion if he determined to maneuver up in weight.
Makhachev is the present UFC light-weight champion and is ready to defend his belt in the principle occasion of UFC 302 towards Dustin Poirier. Ought to Makhachev win, he has hinted at transferring up in weight and going to welterweight to strive for champ-champ standing.
Holland, who’s ranked fifteenth at welterweight, believes if Makhachev does transfer up in weight he’ll grow to be the champ and be dominant.
“Champ, champ, champ, for positive, for positive. champ. I believe Khabib (Nurmagomedov) may have accomplished the identical f*****g factor if he wished to. So yeah, for positive, for positive. I believe Islam’s most likely just a little bit extra scarier to cope with. He knocked out ‘Volk’ and Volk’s not, I don’t suppose a simple particular person to place away, despite the fact that he misplaced the final two being put away. I believe plenty of that got here from the Islam head kick. Yeah, scary, scary man proper there,” Holland stated at UFC 302 media day.
Although Islam Makhachev can be transferring up 15lbs to 170lbs, Kevin Holland doesn’t suppose the dimensions would play a lot of an element. As a substitute, he believes Makhachev may have success towards a heavyweight as that’s how sturdy he’s.
“I believe the best way these guys grapple over there, I don’t suppose it will matter if you’re a heavyweight. After they determined to get you down, they will get you down, they’re persistent, they work arduous, and they’re actually good at what they do. And, I actually suck at wrestling so I wouldn’t need no issues with that man. I understand how to select my fights, my mamma raised me properly,” Holland stated.
As for Kevin Holland, he’s set to return to the middleweight division on the principle card of UFC 302 towards Michal Oleksiejczuk.