Islam Makhachev backed to dethrone Alex Pereira despite 50lb weight difference between UFC champions

Islam Makhachev’s manager has a very high opinion of the UFC lightweight champion.

Ali Abdelaziz has looked after the careers of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Henry Cejudo, Kamaru Usman, and many more of MMA’s biggest stars.

The UFC’s pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev, is currently on his roster of fighters ahead of his 155lb title defense against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on January 18.

It’s safe to say that Abdelaziz expects his star client to breeze through his fourth title defense before moving up to beat the champions at welterweight, middleweight, and even light heavyweight.

READ MORE: Islam Makhachev reveals how he will know when to retire after record-breaking title fight at UFC 311

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCAli Abdelaziz predicts Alex Pereira vs Islam MakhachevAlex Pereira has been utterly dominant since moving up to light heavyweight in 2023.

‘Poatan’ has won five fights, beat four ex-champions, and stopped all but one of his 205lb opponents to cement his spot on the pound-for-pound list alongside Makhachev.

A fight between the two men seems highly unlikely given the 50lb weight difference. However, Abdelaziz believes Makhchev can overcome the massive size disadvantage to stop Pereira and take his title.

“Arman is an absolute beast, he’s very tough – I think Arman will be a champion, but I don’t think it’s now,” he told MMA Junkie. “It’s not his time. He’s young. I don’t think any man from 155lbs to 185lbs can beat Islam Makhachev. It doesn’t exist. I believe 155, 170, 185, I think Islam can beat anybody on any given day.

“This is what I believe in because of what he’s shown me, the development, the improvement. I think Islam will beat Alex Pereira at 205, I do. I swear to Allah.

“I think Islam Makhachev will beat Alex Pereira. He’s just going to take him down and finish him, submit him. Alex Pereira can knock out anybody on the planet if he touches you, but I think Islam Makhachev is this good.”

Is Islam Makhachev one of the best fighters of all time?Abdelaziz believes Makhachev is well on his way to becoming the greatest fighter in UFC history.

The MMA manager says no one comes close to the Russian phenom skill-wise, and he also insists that the level of competition he’s facing is better than the man most people regarded as the GOAT, Jon Jones.

“Skill for skill, I think he’s one of the best fighters, most complete fighters we’ve ever seen. It’s not Demetrious Johnson, it’s nobody.”

“The man finished seven of his last eight opponents. He beat the pound-for-pound No. 1 [Alexander Volkanovski. The caliber of fighters he beat is not like who Jon Jones beat, and that’s no disrespect to Jon Jones. He’s amazing, but he’s beaten Ciryl Gane, who can’t wrestle. He beat Stipe [Miocic], who’s a grandfather. He’s old. He’s a legend, of course.

“Islam Makhachev didn’t go to a split decision with Thiago Santos. It doesn’t happen. He smashes people’s faces. He makes them look like they don’t even belong there, but we’re going to see. January 18, one more for Islam Makhachev, and I think he’s going to make it look easy.”

READ MORE: Khabib Nurmagomedov unimpressed with Islam Makhachev’s training in new footage ahead of UFC 311