Former UFC champion Dustin Poirier has offered his perspective on Islam Makhachev`s chances of making a successful return to the lightweight division.
Poirier suggested that Makhachev`s future career path would largely hinge on the outcomes of his upcoming bouts. “Islam was already quite a large fighter for the lightweight category,” Poirier stated. “Having the opportunity to gain weight, build muscle mass, and simply allow his body to settle where it naturally wants to… Returning to the 70 kg limit, in my opinion, would demand a significant amount of time and effort.”
He further elaborated on the substantial challenges associated with such a transition: “He would have to drastically reduce his calorie intake and shed the muscle mass he`s accumulated. It`s a well-known fact that even before, it wasn`t easy for him to make the 70 kg cut, and now it would become even more formidable. It`s entirely possible that for him, this could signify a permanent departure from the lightweight division, as the physical toll on his body might prove excessive. He is, by no means, a small individual.”
