Islam Makhachev has hinted at a future move up to welterweight ahead of his UFC title fight against Alexander Volkanovski.
Makhachev, 31, makes the first defence of his lightweight title against featherweight champion Volkanovski at UFC 284 next weekend in Perth, Australia. The Russian won the belt that was once held for several years by his coach and friend Khabib Nurmagomedov when he submitted Charles Oliveira last October.
Makhachev is fully focused on Volkanovski and the other challengers in his weight class for now, but he is open to a move up to welterweight in the future.