{"id":245673,"date":"2025-10-28T13:24:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T13:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/245673\/"},"modified":"2025-10-28T13:24:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T13:24:08","slug":"islam-makhachev-says-he-fought-at-60-while-cutting-to-155-pounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/245673\/","title":{"rendered":"Islam Makhachev Says He Fought at ‘60%’ While Cutting to 155 Pounds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Islam Makhachev, the former UFC lightweight champion, is preparing for his welterweight debut against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 on November 29 at Madison Square Garden. Ahead of the fight, Makhachev opened up about how the extreme weight cuts<\/a> to 155 pounds affected his performance and mindset.<\/p>\n

In a recent interview with ESPN MMA, Makhachev detailed his new routine and how moving up to 170 pounds has transformed his training and energy levels.<\/p>\n

A New Weight, A New Life<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to walk around [192 pounds],\u201d Makhachev said. \u201cIt\u2019s like [192] and five weeks out at [182 pounds]. And it\u2019s gonna be a very easy cut, honestly, I think. We\u2019ll see. I still keep in keep in touch with the US nutritionist guys. They give me good supplements, good advice also.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Makhachev, the shift has allowed him to focus on fighting rather than constant dieting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve changed weight divisions and my life is changed,\u201d he said. \u201cAlways, like all my life, I have to think what I\u2019m gonna eat, what I have to eat for the dinner. Now I can enjoy my can camp, eat whatever I want, and just smile and train.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Toll of Cutting to Lightweight<\/p>\n

Even though Makhachev always made weight at 155, the process was exhausting and left him underperforming inside the Octagon.<\/p>\n

\u201c155, I make weight always, but it\u2019s so difficult, so hard always. I feel that [it affected my performance]. No one who who cut [22 pounds], more than [22 pounds], they never recover it 100%. I still feel like I recovered for for the fights like maybe 60%. Because it\u2019s so hard to recover it by 30 hours. And now I\u2019m very excited to see how I\u2019m gonna feel in the cage.\u201d<\/p>\n

He believes the demanding cut prevented him from performing at his full potential, making this welterweight fight an exciting test of his true abilities.<\/p>\n

Could He Return to Lightweight?<\/p>\n

Fans have speculated about a possible matchup with Ilia Topuria, which would require Makhachev to drop back down to 155 pounds. While he hasn\u2019t ruled it out, he made it clear the decision would come at a cost.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I have to cut to 155, then it\u2019s gonna be hard,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd Dana White have to pay for this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Makhachev faces Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 322<\/a>, with Weili Zhang vs. Valentina Shevchenko as the co-main. The fight marks his first appearance at welterweight, and moving up in weight carries risk \u2014 but also opportunity.<\/p>\n

Success at 170 pounds could establish Makhachev as one of the rare fighters capable of excelling in multiple divisions, and he\u2019s eager to see how his body responds without the strain of a brutal weight cut.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow I can enjoy my camp, eat whatever I want, and just smile and train,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Published on October 28, 2025 at 9:13 am<\/p>\n

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