ARTICLE AD BOX
Recently, Javier Mendez, head trainer of Islam Makhachev, revealed that the current number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world may not have many fights left, saying that he believes that Makhachev has about three more fights left in his career. For Daniel Cormier, the news stirred up a lot of emotions.
- Javier Mendez also said that Islam Makhachev could have three more fights, including one against Jack Delle Maddalena. That's where our attention should be focused, - Cormier said on his YouTube channel.
- How is it possible that we have the feeling again that another dominant champion is thinking about retiring? Why? He's young. He's a world champion. He's dominating. He's getting a chance to become a champion in two divisions. Why are we going through this again?
Makhachev is expected to vacate the belt before
Although he is technically still the lightweight champion, Makhachev is expected to vacate the belt before the title fight between Ilya Topuria and Charles Oliveira takes place at UFC 317. Makhachev will move up a weight class to fight Jack Delle Maddalena for the welterweight title later this year, and all of those changes have made Cormier feel a bit nostalgic.
- I think we're in a period in combat sports right now that, to me as a fan, is very sad. I don't believe for a second that anything is going to change. There's going to be new guys who will pick up where these guys left off, Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira. There's always going to be someone new. But when everyone starts leaving, it's sad for a fan. Especially a new fan who got into MMA because of everything these fighters have done for years in that division.
- Islam only has three more fights. Why? Why?! It scares me. Because I know, knowing these guys, if he says he has three more fights, and if he really means it... The only hope is that it's not coming directly from him yet. If Islam comes out and tells us, 'I have three more fights,' we should all be like, 'We've got to focus.' Because you know this is a special time. The special reign that Islam has created in the lightweight division.
- Why? Why would someone in their mid-thirties consider leaving a sport they dominate? We saw Khabib (Nurmagomedov) do it and never looked back.
- That should worry us as MMA fans. There are so many more fights we want to see. We want to see him against JDM, we want him against (Kamaru) Usman, and we want him against Ilya Topuria. That's how small a window this guy has if he leaves after just three more fights. Crazy.
English (US) ·