Javier Mendez has given his thoughts on who Islam Makhachev could face if he manages to win the UFC welterweight championship tomorrow night.
In the main event of UFC 322, Islam Makhachev will challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight title. If he's able to get the job done, he will join an exclusive club of fighters who have been able to win world titles in two weight classes in the promotion.
Of course, Islam Makhachev can't afford to look past JDM given how dangerous the champion is. With that being said, you would have to imagine that there are plenty of fighters who would be willing to challenge Islam for the belt if he does, in fact, leave Madison Square Garden with the strap.
In a recent interview, Javier Mendez listed a few names that Islam Makhachev could defend the belt against if that happens.
Javier Mendez’s view on Islam Makhachev’s future
"The one guy I think probably deserves it more than everybody, based on his title run when he was the champ, is Kamaru Usman," Mendez told Submission Radio. "Look what he just did with (Joaquin) Buckley. He stopped the hype train, and did it in impressive fashion. So I would think that his hat has got to be in there as a contender for that title. His title run, being the greatest welterweight of all time, in my opinion, has got to be in there, too.
"For us, it would suck because we care a lot about the guy, but it's a business, and whatever is going to happen is going to happen. Even Belal (Muhammad), it is what it is. We didn't want to fight Belal, but what if Belal wins and we win, and all of a sudden we get offered a fight with him? It's going to be up to the fighters to decide, but it's going to suck for us on both of those, if any of those happen."
"If you're asking me what the fans are going to want to see, I'm going to have to go with Topuria," Mendez said. "If we manage to get the win like we're expecting and wanting to, I would think that Dana (White) is all about creating the most, biggest buzz, and I think the biggest buzz is Topuria if he goes up in weight – if that's what happens. So right now, I can see so many different scenarios happening, but those two are the top of the list, in my opinion."
Quotes via MMA Junkie