"Not because he hasn't got the ability" - Michael Bisping explains why Islam Makhachev will never become a two-division UFC champion

Islam Makhachev fulfilled a childhood dream by becoming the UFC lightweight champion at UFC 280. He beat former champion Charles Oliveira in his first-ever title fight with a dominant performance.

Having beaten perhaps his toughest challenger yet and currently on an 11-fight win streak in the lightweight division, many have wondered if Makhachev could find success in another division and become a double champion.

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping was asked his thoughts on Makhachev being a two-division champion in a fan question-and-answer livestream on YouTube. Bisping expressed why he thought that was unlikely:

"I don't think so. Not because he hasn't got the ability. It's because Volkanovski is going to move up to 155 [pounds] and he is going to challenge Islam. So, Volkanovski has the ability to become a double-champ. If Islam beats him, well, they're not gonna run that back straight away at another weight class. And Islam would have to go down to 145, and I can't see him making 145. He's big for 155, so yeah, there we go."

Watch Michael Bisping's complete live stream on his YouTube channel:

Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev met inside the octagon after the latter's dominant win. The featherweight champion made his way to the cage after Khabib Nurmagomedov declared his camp's intention to take Volkanovski on in Australia. Makhachev now aims to make the No.1 pound-for-pound spot his own.

Check out the two champions coming face to face in the octagon:

Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski meet in the middle 👀 #UFC280 https://t.co/2vvZ5oNgtH

Dana White confirms Alexander Volkanovski as Islam Makhachev's next opponent

Alexander Volkanovski was on standby all throughout fight week eager to step in for either Charles Oliveira or Islam Makhachev in case of an emergency. Although that did not come to pass, it looks like the Australian is now the next challenger for the lightweight title.

Dana White confirmed the same in the post-fight press conference:

"Obviously, looks like Volkanovski's next, so. You know, Volkanovski never ceases to amaze me. Another incredible fight. I did not, I did not, no [know that Nurmagomedov was going to call out Volkanovski]. When I was up there, Khabib said, 'We're gonna fight all the time and we want to fight everybody.' That's what he said to me, you know, after the fight."

However, the UFC president did not confirm if the fight would headline the UFC's pay-per-view in Perth.

Check out Dana White's comments on Twitter:

Dana White: "Obviously, looks like [Alex] Volkanovski's next" for Islam Makhachev 👀

Full #UFC280 post-fight scrum ▶️ youtu.be/nKMrv6Kj8jU https://t.co/GEUnH3uSef