Javier Mendez says Islam Makhachev added 11 pounds of muscle, prefers welterweight

Javier Mendez has said that Islam Makhachev is far more comfortable competing at welterweight and is not interested in the lightweight division anymore.

Makhachev (28-1) moved to the welterweight division after defending his lightweight title four times in the UFC. He dethroned Jack Della Maddalena to win the 170-pound crown last year.

Makhachev’s coach Mendez believes that his fighter is likely done with lightweight entirely and prefers to fight at welterweight. He recently revealed that the champion has added five kilos (11 pounds) of muscle and is not looking to move back down.

“He’s gained five kilos of muscle and feels better at welterweight,” Mendez told Alvaro Colmenero. “He prefers this weight class. I don’t think he’ll ever fight at lightweight.”

Notably, Islam Makhachev has previously said that he can also fight at middleweight. When Dricus Du Plessis was the 185-pound champion, the then-lightweight king said that he would gladly accept a fight against the South African if the UFC offers him.

However, the Russian has not talked about middleweight since moving up, shining a light on 170-pound contenders like Carlos Prates instead.

Islam is scheduled to defend his title for the first time against Ian Machado Gary (17-1) at UFC 330 on August 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

Garry will become the first Irishman since Conor McGregor to contest a UFC title when he faces Makhachev.

The 28-year-old is ranked number one in the welterweight division. Garry last fought in November, defeating Belal Muhammad, and has won 10 of 11 UFC bouts since joining in 2021 after Cage Warriors success.