Islam Makhachev is diligently reshaping his physique in pursuit of becoming a double UFC champion. The accomplished fighter from Dagestan recently vacated his lightweight title to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight championship, a bout that will headline UFC 322 on November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In a candid interview with ESPN, Makhachev shared the details of the rigorous training and dietary regimen he has adopted to accommodate his new weight class.
Traditionally, Makhachev was a sizable lightweight, often making significant weight cuts to meet the requirements. This time, however, he has embraced the challenges of moving up in weight, which he believes has allowed him to unlock his full physical potential. He explained that with the increased weight, he is happier and able to train at an elevated performance level, even utilizing supplements to facilitate this transition.
“I want to weigh around 87 kilos, and about 83 kilos during fight week,” Makhachev noted in the interview. He elaborated on his experience, stating, “I used to weigh 82-83, now it’s 87.” On weigh-in day, he plans to be around 77 kilos—a manageable cut compared to the significant struggles he faced to reach 70 kilos in the lightweight division.
One of the main components of Makhachev’s training regimen has been the introduction of creatine, which he claims has been instrumental in his weight gain and overall strength. “It’s the first supplement where I see real changes. It helps with recovery, it helps to gain weight and gives strength,” he remarked, acknowledging the challenges of gaining mass while maintaining an intensive training schedule.
With only a week and a half before he steps into the octagon, the anticipation is building around how Makhachev will perform against his opponent, Della Maddalena, a formidable striker. This matchup not only signifies a pivotal moment in Makhachev’s career, as he aims to cement his legacy within the UFC but also draws comparisons to previous fighters who have successfully transitioned between weight classes.
Like Ilia Topuria, who seamlessly moved up to lightweight and claimed victory against Charles Oliveira, Makhachev’s upcoming fight poses a significant test of his adaptation to the welterweight division. Should he triumph, it could set the stage for an exciting matchup against Topuria down the line. As Makhachev embraces these changes, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if this bold move will yield positive results for one of the best fighters of his generation.