Kenny Florian warns Islam Makhachev that the power feels different in the UFC welterweight division.
Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) has vacated his lightweight title to challenge welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who dethroned Belal Muhammad in Saturday’s UFC 315 main event in Montreal.
Florian, who competed across four different weight classes during his UFC tenure, doesn’t see Makhachev withstanding Della Maddalena’s power the same way that Muhammad did.
“Based on his grappling and well-roundedness and experience, I think that he could definitely pose some problems for JDM,” Florian said on his “Anik & Florian Podcast.” “However, I would say this: I don’t think he could dole out the same level of power as some of the 170 pounders, and I also don’t think he can take or withstand the same kind of shots. I have a hard time believing that there’s any 155 pounder in the world that could take the same kind of shots that Belal Muhammad took in that fight on Saturday night.
“Belal has a legendary chin at this point. The shots that he withstood, are you kidding me? There was a series of three right hands – I have chills thinking about it – that Belal ate, and he kept coming forward. In my mind I was just thinking, ‘How the hell did he take one of those, let alone three?’ I don’t see any lightweight in the world taking those shots. I can’t stress this enough: Every pound matters in this sport. There’s a 15-pound difference between 155 and 170, not 10 pounds, and that matters for a lot.”
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Tuesday night that Makhachev will be Della Maddalena’s first welterweight title defense, but a date and venue for the fight are yet to be announced.
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