Islam Makhachev wishes he had not put himself through so many gruelling weight cuts.
When Makhachev entered the UFC in 2015, he had only dreamed of reaching the top of the division. Makhachev eventually won the lightweight title in 2022 and defended it four times. Makhachev had started contemplating a move up to welterweight in recent years, as it was no secret that his weight cuts for lightweight were extremely gruelling.
Makhachev vacated his lightweight title earlier this year to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. While some had expected Makhachev to have a size disadvantage, the Dagestani star looked as big as Maddalena, if not bigger.