Julien LeBlanc Gets Real About Islam Makhachev Moving to Middleweight

UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping sparked an interesting conversation when he vouched for Islam Makhachev to go for a historic third UFC title. In August, he broke the UFC record for longest winning streak at 17.  

Back then, I discussed this idea with UFC middleweight fighter Julien LeBlanc. When I asked the Canadian fighter about a potential showdown between Islam and Sean Strickland at 185 lbs, he showed respect to the UFC welterweight champion, but was sure that he would have a really hard time at middleweight due to the big size difference compared to top middleweights. 

"I think he would lose because, you see, he has a hard time to hold the guys down at welterweight, you know? Guys are big at welterweight. So, at middleweight, guys are even bigger. It's 15 lbs more. So, I just believe that guys would be too strong. Like, Islam is really amazing, and he's hard to beat, and he can beat a lot of guys, but to go up at middleweight, I just think that Strickland would be too big and Islam would not be able to take him down. Like you saw, Khamzat like he had a hard time with Strickland, right? So, and Khamzat is really bigger than Islam."

Julien LeBlanc Sees A Lightweight Return As Another Option For Islam

LeBlanc further weighed in on Strickland's size and skills. He also believes that Islam could go back to lightweight for that mega fight against Ilia Topuria if Topuria wins the lightweight belt.

"I just think that Islam should stay at welterweight because it would be crazy to indulge, but I think he is too small. He's just too small, and at one point we got to be realistic, right? Strickland is big, man. He's like 220 out of out of camp, you know? So, he's a big dude, and he knows how to wrestle, and he hits hard. So, the more you go up, the more the guys are strong and the more that they hit hard. The more it's going to be difficult for Islam to do five rounds against them. So, I think he should stay at welterweight or even maybe go back down if Topuria fights Gaethje again and wins and get the belt back; maybe he can make that fight at 155."

Julien Thinks Makhachev Can Beat Carlos Prates, but Not Michael Morales

Islam Makhachev has decided to sit out as the top two contenders, Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, gear up to fight each other at UFC 336 in January to crown the interim UFC welterweight champion. The winner will fight Makhachev for the undisputed title later in 2027. 

Julien LeBlanc also shared his opinion on the UFC welterweight title picture. The 34-year-old thinks that Makhachev can beat Prates, but Morales is a different story, again because of the size difference.

"Yeah, I think Islam would beat Prates, but I think Morales is a big dude. I think Islam would have a hard time with Morales. But it's exciting fights, right? So, I would love to see Islam fight either Prates or Morales, but at middleweight, I don't think it's a good idea. That's my opinion, but maybe I'm wrong."

If anyone deserves this shot to become the champ-champ-champ, then that's Islam Makhachev. In UFC history, only one man has gained the opportunity to achieve this feat, and that's Alex Pereira. Earlier this year, 'Poatan' moved up to heavyweight to become the first three-division UFC champion, but he lost to the Frenchman, Ciryl Gane.