UFC welterweight veteran Vicente Luque believes that Islam Makhachev’s entrance within the 170-pound class might be “very cool,” and he expects the Russian star to achieve success.
Measurement could possibly be a problem, although.
Makhachev, a 5-foot-10 light-weight with a 70.5-inch attain, reigned amongst lightweights with 15 wins in a row, ending Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano earlier than deciding to maneuver up a weight class for a second belt. Makhachev would have a peak and attain drawback towards welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena and all athletes at present ranked within the prime 15.
“I’ve educated with him just a few instances, so I can say that he actually is excellent on the bottom, a ton of stress and method,” Luque informed MMA Preventing. “He’s not weak for the division. I don’t know the way he’s working, if he’s trying so as to add extra weight and perhaps extra energy in comparison with after we educated, since he was at all times preventing at 155. However he has a variety of stress and isometric energy.”
Makhachev was capable of dominate the opposition along with his wrestling and submission expertise at light-weight, tapping out many jiu-jitsu black belts over his profession, however doing the identical in a weight class 15 kilos heavier could possibly be tougher. Particularly since he’s anticipated to make his welterweight debut towards newly-crowned champion Della Maddalena, who scored 5 finishes over his 8-0 run underneath the UFC banner.
“His floor sport could be very refined, proper?” Luque mentioned of Makhachev. “As for the peak, he’s not that tall, but when he compensates with the bottom, along with his top-notch wrestling, I feel he received’t have issues within the division. After all that it’s completely different, we’re stronger. It could possibly be tougher because the struggle progresses, three or 5 rounds, and the ability is an entire different sport. That makes a distinction. We undoubtedly hit more durable than the fellows at 155. If he can’t shut the space, that could possibly be an issue. Let’s see how this struggle goes. He’s tremendous powerful, so I don’t suppose we will say he has no possibilities. He has an excellent likelihood at coming in and changing into champion, however he must work exhausting.”
Does that imply Luque count on Makhachev to manhandle Della Maddalena on the bottom along with his superior grappling to earn a second UFC belt? Not so quick.
“I feel there are various components [in a fight],” Luque mentioned. “Many individuals suppose solely about grappling. If this have been a submission match I’d say, ‘He’ll man the kill’. He’s so good on the bottom. However MMA is extra advanced. And while you’re grappling towards heavier guys, that calls for extra energy, it wears you off. There are a number of components that we now have to see how he adapts. I’d think about he’s already coaching with larger guys. Let’s see. We’ve got to see within the struggle.”
The UFC has but to announce a date for Makhachev shot at glory. Within the meantime, Luque gears up for his first struggle in 2025 when he faces Kevin Holland at this weekend’s UFC 316 in Newark. The Brazilian made quick work of Themba Gorimbo in his most up-to-date octagon look again in December, and goals to maintain the momentum going after an always-busy “Trailblazer” on June 7.
“I feel it’s going to be an ideal struggle,” Luque mentioned. “It’s an ideal match-up for me style-wise. I wish to struggle aggressive opponents, people who come to struggle. I can counter and capitalize on their aggressiveness, on the toes and on the bottom. I can’t predict an excessive amount of as a result of he’s very unpredictable within the sense that I don’t know if he’ll stand and commerce or attempt to take me down, however I’m ready in all areas and with all instruments sharp. I’m assured, and I’m prepared for every thing.”
Luque and Holland are two of probably the most energetic welterweights within the UFC roster, with the Brazilian coming into his twenty third octagon look throughout a decade and Holland making his twenty sixth stroll to the cage since his debut in 2018. Holland will already make his third struggle in 2025, and Luque sees the benefit of getting slowed down in recent times.
“Being energetic will get you sharp, however you don’t develop new tips. I grew to become extra predictable,” Luque mentioned. “I’m finding out his fights and getting ready for what he does, however I’m additionally ready for one thing shocking. But when he comes the best way he’s preventing just lately, he could possibly be extra predictable. I don’t know what his purpose is. I for one am centered on climbing to the highest of the division. That’s why I’m not so nervous about taking all of the fights I can. I feel that additionally adjustments our focus within the struggle. I’m centered on going there and successful in dominant trend towards Holland.”
“That busy run I did was nice, after I did a number of fights [in 2018 and 2019], and it additionally put me nicely ranked within the division at the moment, however I feel the second is completely different now,” he continued. “I’ve been within the prime 5, I’ve confirmed my potential. Many individuals I’ve fought at the moment are on an increase, like Belal [Muhammad] and [Joaquin] Buckley. I by no means had simple fights, and at all times went there to provide my finest and be aggressive. So I feel that’s one thing I’ve observed, that it’s time to take the best fights. That doesn’t imply I received’t struggle perhaps twice extra this yr. If it’s the best fights towards opponents that make sense and I’m okay, [I’ll do it], however preventing simply to struggle, to remain energetic with no purpose, that’s not the second.
“My purpose is to return to the highest this yr, to climb to the highest, so I’ve to be good. And I feel I’ve confirmed that I’ve the abilities to be on the prime. I don’t must be preventing all people and testing myself towards all people anymore. I’ve to take the fights that take me [top the top].”
