Javier Mendez backs Islam Makhachev moving up to middleweight.

UFC lightweight champion Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) dreams of dual-champion status, but his plans of moving up to welterweight have been put on hold after his friend Belal Muhammad captured the 170-pound title.

Arman Tsarukyan is touted to be Makhachev’s next opponent, which would give Makhachev an opportunity to break the UFC record for most title defenses at lightweight.

“That’s a good reason to fight Arman or anybody else, and you get the most defenses in the lightweight history,” Mendez told Red Corner MMA. “I can’t believe three is the record. That’s just amazing how it turns over.

“So many fighters have won titles there, but they never kept it more than three title defenses. So Islam will break the record, and I want to see him go down as one of the greatest of all time, and I believe he’s on track to do that.”

Makhachev’s return has been delayed after suffering a ligament injury in his hand. If Makhachev notches one more title defense, Mendez would like to see him go after another UFC title.

With welterweight not happening, Mendez thinks Makhachev has the skill to excel at middleweight.

“Then after that let’s see what happens,” Mendez said. “Maybe Islam gains weight and goes to 185. I mean, he’d have to gain weight, obviously, because that’s a little big for him. You never know. He’s that good. (He’s) pound-for-pound No. 1 for a reason.”