UFC Lightweight Terrance McKinney Says Champion Islam Makhachev's Wrestling Won't Work Against Him: 'I Can Hold Down A Heavyweight If I Wanted To!'

Originally posted on MMA News | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated 1/9/24

The UFC's lightweight division has long been one of the most talent stacked weight classes in the sport and that's no different in 2024.

Currently, the 155-pound champion also represents the best that MMA has to offer with Islam Makhachev sitting atop the division and the pound for pound rankings.

Lightweight contender Terrance McKinney gave his thoughts on competing in the same division as Makhachev during a recent appearance on the Jaxxon podcast.

He stated that knowing that the best fighter in the world is in his weight class gives him additional motivation to work his way to the top and knock Makhachev off the pedestal.

"We got to beat Islam and I just know like lord willing when it happens, there's no denying that, they can't say that I'm not the best so that's what I'm looking to do. My main goal is to f*** up Islam, that's what I train to do."

Terrance McKinney Says That His Grappling Is Too Good For Him To Be Held Down By Islam Makhachev

McKinney went one step further than saying that training to beat a guy like Makhachev gives him extra fire in the gym.

The 29-year old all-action fighter believes that his grappling is too good for the lightweight champion who has been dominant with his sambo style of wrestling that defines his fighting style.

McKinney declared that he is 100% confident that he would prevent the takedown or get right back up to his feet in a grappling scenario with the best in the world.

"Yeah I'm telling you, they're not doing that laying down s*** and holding me down I promise that. I'm probably like one of the hardest people to hold down. I can hold down a heavyweight if I wanted to like I can wrestle good. "

After stating at first that his opinion comes more from how high he holds his own abilities rather than taking away from Makhachev and his team, McKinney went on to say that their "whack wrestling" body lock takedowns wouldn't work on him.

This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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