Islam Makhachev is set for a major fight, though perhaps not the one most fans anticipated.
UFC CEO Dana White announced on Tuesday that the lightweight champion will move up to the 170-pound welterweight division and vacate his title to challenge the new champion, Jack Della Maddalena.
This potential move had been discussed for months, as Makhachev sought a second title but didn`t want to fight his close friend Belal Muhammad. This changed last Saturday when Della Maddalena defeated Muhammad for the welterweight belt, paving the way for Makhachev vs. Della Maddalena, a fight currently without a confirmed date or location.
While this fight offers Makhachev a chance to enhance his pound-for-pound status and Della Maddalena an opportunity for significant stardom, not everyone is pleased with Makhachev leaving the lightweight division.
Fans were particularly anticipating a clash between Makhachev and undefeated featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who recently vacated his title in February to pursue the lightweight championship. A fight between them was seen as a potential matchup of the world`s top fighters.
Instead, Makhachev faces Della Maddalena, while Topuria will now fight Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28.
