Islam Makhachev, the current UFC lightweight champion, has decided not to compete in the lightweight division in the near future, choosing instead to pursue the welterweight title. As he prepares to vacate his 155-pound belt, it will soon be contested in the upcoming UFC 317 main event this Saturday, where Ilia Topuria is set to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant title. Despite exiting lightweight, Makhachev is expected to return to championship contention later this year with a showdown against newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena.
Makhachev secured the vacant lightweight championship by defeating Oliveira at UFC 280 in 2022 and has since successfully defended the title four times, marking a UFC record. Presently riding a 15-fight win streak, the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter explained his reasoning behind moving up in weight during a conversation with MMA Junkie.
Reasons Behind Makhachev’s Move to Welterweight
Makhachev revealed his motivation for pursuing the welterweight championship is driven by a combination of timing, opponent availability, and his desire for fresh challenges.
“Because right now it’s the best time,”
Makhachev said.
“I was waiting for [Arman] Tsarukyan because he have also a very good win streak and people were waiting for this fight. He pulled out in the last fight and I don’t see some interesting fights in my division. That’s why I made the decision to move up because now they have a new champion, a very good fighter, Jack Della Maddalena, and it’s a fight making me train every day, make me wake up early morning.”
His move was also influenced by Tsarukyan’s recent withdrawal from a previously anticipated matchup, which left Makhachev without compelling opponents at lightweight. Shifting divisions offers new motivation and challenges he is eager to embrace.
Addressing the Makhachev vs. Topuria Fight Speculations
Early rumors suggested that Makhachev might face Ilia Topuria, driven largely by an image circulating on social media showing Makhachev meeting with UFC executives. Fans had hoped this encounter meant an imminent fight, but Makhachev has clarified the situation.
“Everybody think [UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell] came to make fight with Topuria, but he was here, we talked about fight against the winner between Maddalena and Belal [Muhammad],”
Makhachev explained.
“He told me, ‘I know Belal is your friend, but this is a sport.’ Shake hands, fight, after the fight, respect, and that’s it. Just see who is the best fighter in the world. We have big discussions about that and I told him let’s wait for the fight when Belal fights with Maddalena. We will see after that what we have to do.”
Makhachev indicated the UFC leadership’s focus was on aligning his next fight against the winner of the Maddalena vs. Muhammad bout, dismissing earlier speculation of a Topuria fight as unfounded at this stage.
Logistical Challenges of Holding Two Titles Explained
Makhachev initially considered retaining the lightweight belt while pursuing the welterweight championship but acknowledged that managing both titles would be impractical due to scheduling and personal commitments.
“I want to hold the belt from the lightweight, but it’s not possible,”
he admitted.
“Because I fight in January and we wait, if I fight with Maddalena, when is it going to be? October, November? Fight again in February, Ramadan is beginning. Holding more than one year the lightweight belt, it’s not what I want to do.”
This decision prioritizes active competition and respect for the sport’s demands rather than maintaining a dual-champion status without regular defenses.
Anticipated Welterweight Clash and Preparation
The highly anticipated matchup between Makhachev and welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena remains unofficial but is expected to take place during a pay-per-view event in October or November. Should it be held in November, Makhachev expressed excitement about potentially competing at Madison Square Garden in New York, an arena he reveres.
In the meantime, Makhachev is adjusting his physical conditioning to meet the demands of moving up in division. He joked about the difficulty of transitioning from rigorous weight cutting at lightweight to gaining muscle mass for welterweight competition.
“It’s going to be a hard fight,”
Makhachev said, reflecting on his future opponent.
“I saw his fight against Belal, he’s good. He’s good. When he began fighting in UFC, he had problems with wrestling, but now he’s improved because I see him training a lot with wrestlers, with the grapplers, and that’s why he’s a champion right now and he’s good everywhere.”
“But we will see who is the best fighter in the world. Very soon.”
Upcoming UFC Events and Fight Week Build-Up
Following Makhachev’s departure from the lightweight division, UFC 317 will feature Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira battling for the vacant lightweight title, setting the stage for an exhilarating main event. This event, alongside the title defense attempts by other fighters such as Alexandre Pantoja, establishes a compelling fight calendar for the summer and fall.
Notable upcoming fights include Kevin Holland versus Daniel Rodriguez at UFC 318 in July, and multiple bouts scheduled for UFC Shanghai in August, featuring athletes like Johnny Walker, Zhang Mingyang, Brian Ortega, and Aljamain Sterling. The buildup to these events has created mixed anticipation across the MMA community as fans await the fireworks.
Broader MMA Landscape and Commentator Insight
Discussions and reflections across the MMA world continue regarding fighters’ journeys, organizational decisions, and the evolving competitive landscape. Topics such as Phil Davis explaining his decision to take the UFC to court, Ben Askren’s medical situation, and Craig Jones calling out Dana White add depth to the ongoing narratives within the sport.
Meanwhile, fighters and commentators share varied opinions on social media, ranging from nostalgic references to past promotions like M-1, Bellator tournaments, and the reality series The Ultimate Fighter. The evolving fan engagement and media landscape remain essential components shaping perceptions of upcoming UFC events such as UFC 317.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of Makhachev’s Shift and Lightweight Division Future
Islam Makhachev’s clear rejection of a fight against Ilia Topuria and his decision to chase the welterweight title signals a significant transition in the UFC’s championship dynamics. His pursuit of a second belt highlights his ambition but also sets up crucial questions about who will dominate the lightweight division moving forward with new champions emerging.
The upcoming UFC 317 event featuring Topuria and Oliveira will crown a new lightweight champion, potentially reshaping title contention dynamics in that division. Meanwhile, Makhachev’s anticipated clash against Jack Della Maddalena carries the potential to redefine the welterweight landscape if he succeeds.
Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how Makhachev adapts to the welterweight class and how the lightweight division evolves with new contenders rising, ensuring a thrilling period ahead for UFC enthusiasts globally.