Former UFC fighter Dustin Poirier recently shared his perspective on the likelihood of Islam Makhachev returning to the lightweight division.
“Everything will depend on whether he wins or loses,” Poirier stated. “He was already a big fighter for lightweight. And getting the chance to bulk up, gain muscle mass and let his body move where it wants… Returning to 70 kg will take time, in my opinion.”
“He will have to cut calories and lose the muscle mass he gains. I know it’s a fact, it’s not easy for him to fit into 70 kg, and it will become even more difficult… Yes, for him it might be the end in lightweight, too much strain for his body. He is not a small guy.”
Poirier`s comments highlight the significant physical challenges Makhachev would face, suggesting that the strain of extreme weight cutting might make a permanent move away from the lightweight division a more natural progression for his body type.
