Rogan Questions Makhachev's 170-Pound Future After 29-1 Champion Survives UFC 330 Test
Updated
Updated · MMA Junkie · Aug 17
Rogan Questions Makhachev's 170-Pound Future After 29-1 Champion Survives UFC 330 Test
3 articles · Updated · MMA Junkie · Aug 17
Summary
Islam Makhachev left UFC 330 with a decision win over Ian Machado Garry, but Joe Rogan said the champion looked unusually taxed and vulnerable against a bigger welterweight.
Rogan pointed to failed takedowns, visible damage and Makhachev's late Round 5 control as signs that moving from 155 to 170 has reduced the dominance he showed over lightweights.
Michael Morales and Carlos Prates are the matchups Rogan sees as bigger threats, arguing both contenders bring more size and one-shot knockout power than Garry.
That performance sharpened the central question around Makhachev's welterweight run: whether his grappling can keep controlling larger opponents or whether a return to lightweight makes more sense.