UFC welterweight veteran Vicente Luque believes that Islam Makhachev’s eventual move to the 170-pound division will be an interesting development and anticipates the Russian star will find success there.
However, Luque noted that size could potentially pose a challenge.
Makhachev, who stands 5-foot-10 with a 70.5-inch reach, previously dominated the lightweight ranks, securing 15 consecutive wins, including victories over Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano, before expressing interest in pursuing a second title at welterweight. Should he move up, Makhachev would be at a height and reach disadvantage against the current welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena, as well as every fighter currently ranked in the top 15 of the division.
Luque, who has trained with Makhachev, commented on his skills, 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. I don’t know how he’s working, if he’s looking to add more weight and maybe more power compared to when we trained, since he was always fighting at 155. But he has a lot of pressure and isometric strength.”
While Makhachev’s elite wrestling and submission skills were key to his dominance at lightweight, allowing him to tap out numerous jiu-jitsu black belts throughout his career, applying the same level of control in a weight class 15 pounds heavier could be more difficult. This is particularly relevant considering his potential welterweight debut opponent is expected to be the new champion Della Maddalena, who has earned five finishes in his impressive 8-0 run under the UFC banner.
Luque praised Makhachev’s ground game again:
“His ground game is very refined, right?… As for the height, he’s not that tall, but if he compensates with the ground, with his top-notch wrestling, I think he won’t have problems in the division.”
He added that the difference in strength and power at welterweight is significant:
“Of course that it’s different, we’re stronger… The power is a whole other game. That makes a difference. We undoubtedly hit harder than the guys at 155. If he can’t close the distance, that could be a difficulty. Let’s see how this fight goes. 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.”
However, Luque isn`t ready to predict that Makhachev will easily overwhelm Della Maddalena with grappling to claim a second UFC belt, emphasizing the complexities of MMA:
“I think there are many factors [in a fight]… Many people think only about grappling. If this were a submission tournament I’d say, ‘He’ll get the kill’. He’s so good on the ground. But MMA is more complex. And when you’re grappling against heavier guys, that demands more strength, it wears you off. There are several factors that we have to see how he adapts. I’d imagine he’s already training with bigger guys. Let’s see. We have to see in the fight.”
While the UFC has not yet announced a date for Makhachev`s potential welterweight title opportunity, Luque is currently preparing for his own upcoming bout. He is set to face Kevin Holland at the upcoming UFC 316 event in Newark, marking his first fight of 2025. Luque is coming off a quick victory over Themba Gorimbo in his most recent octagon appearance in December and aims to continue that momentum against the notoriously active Holland.
Luque commented on the matchup:
“I think it’s going to be a great fight. It’s a great match-up for me style-wise. I like to fight aggressive opponents, people that come to fight. I can counter and capitalize on their aggressiveness, on the feet and on the ground. I can’t predict too much because he’s very unpredictable in the sense that I don’t know if he will stand and trade or try to take me down, but I’m prepared in all areas and with all tools sharp. I’m confident, and I’m ready for everything.”
Both Luque and Holland are known for being among the most active fighters in the welterweight division. Luque is approaching his 23rd UFC fight over a decade, while Holland is slated for his 26th walk to the cage since his debut in 2018, which will be his third fight already in 2025. Luque reflected on the advantages he sees in having slowed his fight pace slightly in recent years.
He explained his current strategy:
“Being active gets you sharp, but you don’t develop new tricks. I became more predictable… I’m studying his fights and preparing for what he does, but I’m also prepared for something surprising. But if he comes the way he’s fighting recently, he could be more predictable… I for one am focused on climbing to the top of the division. That’s why I’m not so worried about taking all the fights I can… I’m focused on going there and winning in dominant fashion against Holland.”
Reflecting on his past busy schedule, Luque continued:
“That busy run I did was great, when I did several fights [in 2018 and 2019], and it also put me well ranked in the division at that time, but I think the moment is different now… I’ve been in the top 5, I’ve showed my potential. Many people I’ve fought are now on a rise, like Belal [Muhammad] and [Joaquin] Buckley. I never had easy fights, and always went there to give my best and be competitive. So I think that’s something I’ve noticed, that it’s time to take the right fights. That doesn’t mean I won’t fight maybe twice more this year. If it’s the right fights against opponents that make sense and I’m ok, [I’ll do it], but fighting just to fight, to stay active without a goal, that’s not the moment.”
Luque reiterated his clear goal for the future:
“My goal is to go back to the top this year, to climb to the top, so I have to be smart. And I think I’ve proven that I have the skills to be at the top. I don’t need to be fighting everybody and testing myself against everybody anymore. I have to take the fights that take me [to the top].”
