JERSEY CITY, NJ – Kevin Holland believe Islam Makhachev would become UFC welterweight champion if he moved up a division.
Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) defends his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) at Saturday’s UFC 302 (pay-per-view/ESPN2/ESPN+) main event at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ
Makhachev reiterated his desire to pursue double champion status and the Netherlands are evaluating their chances very well.
“Champion, champion, champion for sure, for sure,” Holland told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC 302 media day on Wednesday. “I think Khabib (Nurmagomedov) could have done the same thing if he wanted to. So, yes, absolutely, absolutely.
“I think Islam is probably a little scarier to deal with. He knocked out Volk, and I don’t think Volk is an easy person to eliminate, even though he lost the last two by being eliminated. I think a lot of that came from the kick in the head of Islam. Yeah, scary, scary guy, right there.
Holland (25-11 MMA, 12-8 UFC), who faces Michal Oleksiejczuk (19-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC) in a middleweight bout on the UFC 302 main card, doesn’t see Makhachev fighting with size at welterweight.
“I think the way those guys fight there, I don’t think it would matter if you were a heavyweight,” Holland said. “When they decide to take you down, they will take you down. They are persistent, they work hard and they are very, very good at what they do. And I really suck at wrestling, so I wouldn’t want to get in trouble with that guy. I know how to pick my fights. My mother taught me well.
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 302.
