Seasoned UFC welterweight contender Vicente Luque believes that Islam Makhachev`s transition to the 170-pound division will be an intriguing development, and he anticipates the Russian champion achieving success there.
However, size could present a challenge.
Makhachev, a 5-foot-10 lightweight with a 70.5-inch reach, dominated the lightweight division with a 15-fight winning streak, including notable victories over Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano, before opting to pursue a second belt in a higher weight class. Moving up means Makhachev would likely face height and reach disadvantages against the current welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena, and potentially all fighters currently ranked within the top 15.
Luque shared his insights from training sessions with Makhachev, 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 added, “He’s not weak for the division.” While unsure if Makhachev is actively increasing his weight or power since their training sessions when he competed at 155 pounds, Luque highlighted Makhachev`s significant pressure and isometric strength.
While Makhachev`s wrestling and submission skills were highly effective at lightweight, securing wins against numerous jiu-jitsu black belts, applying the same dominance against heavier opponents in the 170-pound class might be more difficult. This challenge is amplified by the expectation that his welterweight debut could be against the reigning champion, Della Maddalena, who boasts an impressive record with five finishes in his eight UFC victories.
Commenting on Makhachev`s ground game, Luque described it as “very refined.” He suggested that despite his relatively shorter stature for the division, Makhachev`s elite wrestling could compensate for height differences. Luque acknowledged that the increased strength at welterweight changes the dynamic, potentially making fights tougher as they progress through three or five rounds, noting, “That makes a difference. We undoubtedly hit harder than the guys at 155.” He pointed out that if Makhachev struggles to close the distance, it could pose difficulties. Despite the potential challenges, Luque views Makhachev as “super tough” and believes he has “a good chance at coming in and becoming champion,” albeit emphasizing that it will require significant effort.
Does this mean Luque expects Makhachev to simply overwhelm Della Maddalena with grappling to claim a second UFC title? Not necessarily.
“I think there are many factors [in a fight],” Luque explained. He noted that while many focus solely on grappling, where Makhachev would be a heavy favorite in a submission-only context due to his ground prowess, MMA is far more complex. Grappling with heavier opponents demands greater strength and is more physically taxing. Luque stressed that there are several factors influencing the outcome and expressed curiosity to see how Makhachev adapts, assuming he is training with larger partners. He concluded that the fight itself will be the ultimate test.
The UFC has not yet announced a date for Makhachev`s potential welterweight title opportunity. In the meantime, Luque is preparing for his first bout of 2025, scheduled against Kevin Holland at UFC 316 this weekend in Newark. Following a quick victory over Themba Gorimbo in December, the Brazilian aims to build momentum against the notoriously active “Trailblazer” on June 7th.
Luque anticipates a “great fight” against Holland, viewing it as a favorable stylistic matchup. He enjoys facing aggressive opponents against whom he can utilize counter-striking and capitalize on their forward pressure, both on the feet and the ground. While acknowledging Holland`s unpredictability, Luque stated he is prepared for any approach, expressing confidence and readiness for the bout.
Both Luque and Holland are recognized for their high volume of fights. Luque is set to make his 23rd Octagon appearance over a decade with the promotion, while Holland will compete for the 26th time since his 2018 debut and his third time already in 2025. Luque noted that he sees value in having slightly reduced his activity level in recent years.
Luque reflected that constant activity keeps a fighter sharp but can also lead to becoming “more predictable” as new techniques may not be developed. He is studying Holland`s past fights but is also ready for unexpected tactics, although he feels Holland might be more predictable based on his recent performances. Luque`s current priority is climbing the division rankings rather than simply staying busy without a clear objective.
He acknowledged that his past periods of high activity (in 2018 and 2019) were beneficial for his ranking at the time, but feels the situation is different now. Having previously reached the top 5 and demonstrated his capabilities against rising contenders like Belal Muhammad and Joaquin Buckley, Luque believes he no longer needs to fight everyone to test himself. His focus is now on strategically selecting “the right fights” that will propel him back to the top of the division, even if that means competing less frequently than before.
