This might be my least bold prediction of the bunch, but some may disagree.
We talked about the murderer’s row 170-pound champ Edwards has ahead of him in 2024, but reigning lightweight champ Islam Makhachev also has some tough tasks ahead.
Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) has said he wants to defend his title three times this year if possible. Meeting that goal will require UFC to book him before the Ramadan break, perhaps for its Saudi Arabia debut on March 2 to kick things off. If he’s healthy and scheduled accordingly, the three likeliest opponents, in any order, would be: Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje and Arman Tsarukyan.
Although Makhachev has already beaten two of those names, the rematches would presumably be more challenging fights. If he can get through them all, Makhachev would have five consecutive title defenses, which would put him well beyond the current divisional record of three, shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, Frankie Edgar and B.J. Penn.
For me, Nurmagomedov is currently the best lightweight to ever do it. We all know his career was prematurely cut short, though, which opened the door for Makhachev to make his push to the top. Everything about the Dagestani is trending upward at the moment, and for my money he’s the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport right now. I expect him to further solidify that status in 2024, as well as separate himself from the pack as the best 155-pound champion the UFC has ever seen.
This story originally appeared on MMA Junkie