Islam Makhachev makes his long-anticipated welterweight debut this weekend at UFC 322, where he will be looking to break a drought that has lasted more than 20 years.
Since vacating the lightweight title last summer, the former pound-for-pound top dog has held on to an impressive legacy, including the most title defences in division history.
Makhachev faces newly crowned champion Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 as he looks to become one of the few fighters to hold titles in two different weight classes. In doing so, he will be chasing a goal that was once shared by another former lightweight champion.
To match that legend, though, the Dagestani will need to end a run stretching back all the way to 2004.
B.J. Penn remains the last lightweight champion to win a welterweight title
B.J. Penn first captured welterweight gold in 2004, submitting Matt Hughes in his debut fight at the weight class before later dropping back down to lightweight, where he also won a title.
Penn had previously fought Caol Uno to a draw in his first attempt at the lightweight title, but it was not until four years later that he claimed the belt with a memorable victory over Joe Stevenson during a rare appearance in the UK.
Penn’s time at welterweight was filled with ups and downs. He lost twice to Georges St-Pierre and dropped another bout against Matt Hughes, though he did come back to win his third meeting with the latter.
He is still the most recent former lightweight champion to successfully move up and claim a welterweight title. Makhachev now has the chance to become the first fighter ever to debut at 170 pounds after holding the belt one division down and to leave with gold around his waist.
But if he is going to do that, there is a 21-year record standing in his way.
Islam Makhachev’s only link to a former welterweight
Throughout his time at lightweight, Makhachev only faced a welterweight fighter once.
While most of his wins came against fellow lightweights and former featherweights, in 2018, he matched up with Brazilian veteran Gleison Tibau.
Makhachev needed less than a minute to finish the job, knocking Tibau out in just 57 seconds at UFC 220 in Boston.
Now set to face Della Maddalena, Makhachev is heading into new territory. His only real welterweight experience remains that quick win over Tibau.
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