Sean O’Malley unsure how Islam Makhachev would fare against Khamzat Chimaev

Sean O’Malley feels Islam Makhachev can defeat most UFC middleweights, but could he beat the reigning champion?

Makhachev further cemented his legacy this past Saturday night in New York City. He moved up in weight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight gold in the UFC 322 headliner. Makhachev’s grappling once again earned him UFC gold, securing a clear unanimous decision victory.

Makhachev’s dominance has led some to wonder how the recordholder for the most UFC lightweight title defenses would fare at 185 pounds. During a post-UFC 322 edition of “The BrO’Malley Show,” O’Malley said that reigning UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev would probably be Makhachev’s toughest opponent at middleweight.

“Islam’s smart enough to know that’s probably the only fight [that would give him issues],” O’Malley said. “At 185, he could probably beat most guys. He could probably do that to most guys. Khamzat is just a bigger version of Islam. That would be sick to watch. That would actually be a [expletive] fun grappling fight. I’d love to see that.”

Makhachev has committed to being a fighting champion at welterweight. While he has called for a showdown with Kamaru Usman, he also isn’t opposed to facing the likes of Michael Morales, who starched Sean Brady in the opening frame of their Madison Square Garden clash.

UFC CEO Dana White isn’t sure what’s next for Makhachev following the sweep of Maddalena. Going into that fight, many thought Maddalena would give Makhachev problems due to his takedown defense. It was quite clear early on that Maddalena didn’t have an answer for Makhachev’s grappling.

As for Chimaev, many fans are awaiting who will be the first challenger for “Borz.” Nassourdine Imavov has seemingly put himself in the best position to challenge for the middleweight gold, but whether or not the UFC brass agrees remains to be seen.