Veteran UFC welterweight contender Vicente Luque expressed enthusiasm about Islam Makhachev`s potential transition to the 170-pound division and believes the lightweight king has a strong likelihood of succeeding there.
However, Luque points out that the physical dimensions of the welterweight class could present some difficulties for Makhachev.
Makhachev, who stands 5-foot-10 with a 70.5-inch reach, has been a dominant force at lightweight, securing 15 consecutive wins and defending his title against top fighters like Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier. His potential move up weight for a second belt would place him at a size disadvantage in terms of both height and reach against the current welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena, and most fighters ranked in the top 15.
Luque shared his experience training with Makhachev, stating, “I`ve trained with him a few times, so I can say that he really is very good on the ground, a ton of pressure and technique. He`s not weak for the division.” Luque noted Makhachev`s significant pressure and isometric strength but wondered if he has increased his weight and power since their training sessions, which occurred while Makhachev was still competing at 155 pounds.
Makhachev`s success at lightweight has been heavily reliant on his elite wrestling and submission skills, leading to wins over numerous jiu-jitsu black belts. However, applying the same level of dominance against opponents 15 pounds heavier could prove more challenging, especially if his welterweight debut is against the dangerous, newly crowned champion Della Maddalena, who boasts a perfect 8-0 UFC record with five finishes.
Luque elaborated on Makhachev`s ground prowess, saying, “His ground game is very refined, right?” While acknowledging Makhachev isn`t particularly tall, Luque believes his high-level wrestling could compensate for the height difference in the division. He cautioned, though, that competing against larger individuals becomes tougher as fights extend into the championship rounds (three or five) due to the significant power disparity. “We undoubtedly hit harder than the guys at 155,” Luque stated, adding that if Makhachev struggles to close the distance, it could pose a problem. Despite potential hurdles, Luque remains optimistic: “He`s super tough, so I don`t think we can say he has no chances. He has a good chance at coming in and becoming champion, but he will have to work hard.”
Does this mean Luque expects Makhachev to simply overpower Della Maddalena on the ground to claim a second UFC title? Not necessarily.
“I think there are many factors [in a fight],” Luque explained. “Many people think only about grappling. If this were a submission tournament I`d say, `He`ll go for the kill.` He`s so good on the ground.” However, Luque highlighted that “MMA is more complex.” Grappling against heavier opponents demands more strength and is physically taxing, wearing a fighter down. He emphasized that how Makhachev adapts to these factors will be critical, assuming he`s already training with bigger partners.
As the UFC has not yet announced a date for Makhachev`s anticipated welterweight title challenge, Luque is focused on his immediate future. He is scheduled to compete in his first fight of 2025 against Kevin Holland at UFC 316. Luque is looking to build on the momentum from his quick victory over Themba Gorimbo in December.
“I think it`s going to be a great fight,” Luque said regarding the matchup with Holland. He sees it as a favorable stylistic pairing, noting his preference for fighting aggressive opponents like Holland, which allows him to counter and capitalize on their forward pressure, both striking and grappling. While Holland can be unpredictable, Luque expressed confidence in his preparation across all aspects of the fight.
Both Luque and Holland are known for their high activity levels, with Luque approaching his 23rd UFC appearance and Holland his 26th since his debut. Holland will be making his third Octagon walk in 2025, while Luque has consciously slowed his pace in recent years.
Luque reflected on the balance between activity and strategic development: “Being active gets you sharp, but you don`t develop new tricks. I became more predictable.” He is studying Holland`s recent fights but is also ready for potential surprises. Luque believes Holland might be more predictable based on his recent performances. Unlike just staying active, Luque`s current priority is strategically climbing back to the top of the division, which influences his fight selection.
He acknowledges the benefits of his past busy periods (like in 2018-2019), which helped him climb the rankings, but feels his current situation is different. Having reached the top 5 and proven his capabilities against tough opponents, Luque recognizes the importance of choosing the “right fights” rather than just fighting frequently. His goal is to return to the top this year, requiring him to be smart about his career path. “I don`t need to be fighting everybody and testing myself against everybody anymore,” he stated. “I have to take the fights that take me [to the top].”
Marcus Blakely