UFC News: Welterweight Division Issues, Makhachev Training, and Gaethje's Strategy

Welterweight Division Concerns

• ⚠️ Wen Buckley criticized the welterweight division for its inactivity, stating too many contenders are "sitting on the sidelines" and causing a "standstill."
• 🚀 Ian Machado Garry's team is actively pushing for him to be next in line for a title opportunity, citing his recent wins, ability to step in on short notice, and growing star power.
• 💬 Buckley expressed frustration that the "hottest division" in the UFC currently has "ain't nobody fighting," calling for more activity.

Aljamain Sterling's Strategic Play

• 🎯 Aljamain Sterling publicly offered to be a backup fighter for the upcoming Mosovar Evov vs. Lauron Murphy bout at UFC London.
• 💡 Sterling's move is strategic, aiming for a pathway back into title contention by potentially fighting either opponent on short notice.
• ⚖️ He also revisited his previous fight with Evov, arguing that his physicality and control were undervalued on the scorecards.

Islam Makhachev's Training & Future

• 🥋 Islam Makhachev revealed he was forced to tap in training due to an "uncomfortable neck crank," a rare occurrence given his camp's reputation for extreme resilience.
• 🧠 This incident highlights the high-level and competitive nature of his training environment, where submissions against fighters like Islam or Khabib are "incredibly rare."
• 🏆 Khabib Nurmagomedov believes the "biggest fight" in the UFC is not Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira, but rather Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Toporia, especially after Toporia's knockout win over Charles Oliveira.

Justin Gaethje's Tactical Approach

• 🥊 Justin Gaethje explained his tactical decision to avoid aggressively pursuing submissions during fights, even when opportunities arose.
• ✅ His approach is based on risk management, prioritizing "maintaining dominant position" and landing "effective strikes."
• 🛡️ Gaethje emphasized the importance of safety and control, stating he "had to win" and would not "gamble" on a submission that could compromise his position.