Michael Bisping believes an Islam Makhachev move up to middleweight would test Sean Strickland in a way Khamzat Chimaev could not. ‘The Count’ claims Makhachev would not tire out like ‘Borz’ did against the current champion.
Speaking on his podcast, the former UFC middleweight champion said a fight with ‘Tarzan’ would make sense if Strickland still holds the belt:
“Other than moving up to 185, Islam Makhachev would have really done it all. And if Sean Strickland still is the champion, that would be a good matchup. I am not saying he would beat Sean, Khamzat couldn’t beat Sean, but Islam wouldn’t get tired at 185 because that’s what Khamzat did.”
Check out Michael Bisping‘s comments below:
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‘Borz’ came into his fight against Strickland undefeated in his career. However, the former champion started to tire out during the latter rounds, and ‘Tarzan’ was able to get the win and the belt.
During the same podcast, the former champion added that a third belt is the only thing left for Makhachev:
“Then moving up to 185 and trying to become the triple champ, I like the sound of that. And if anyone deserves it, it is Islam Makhachev.”
Makhachev, though, has his own timetable to settle.
Islam Makhachev says his next fight is ‘one of the last’ in his career
Islam Makhachev recently claimed that his next fight could be one of his last:
“My next fight is one of the last in my career.” He added: “They say Prates is too dangerous for me and Morales is too good for me. So I want to face the best of them and prove to the world once again who is the best in world.”
That opponent will be the winner of Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales, who meet for the interim welterweight title in the co-main event of UFC 336 on Jan. 30 in Toronto. Makhachev, 35, will observe Ramadan in February and March, returning in the second quarter of 2027.
Makhachev won the 170-pound title by beating Jack Della Maddalena in November 2025 and defended it against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in August.
However, a fight against Strickland might not be set in stone. The middleweight champion is holding up the division too as he wants better pay from the UFC.
The American was to defend the belt against Nassourdine Imavov. The contender tried his bit to get Strickland to fight by offering $500,000 should ‘Tarzan’ win.
Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim
