US EditionIslam Makhachev, Ilia Topuria Trade Barbs over Lightweight Champion Vacating Title to Move up to Welterweight
- Islam Makhachev vacated the UFC lightweight title on May 13, 2025, to move up and challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight championship.
- Makhachev decided to move after his teammate Belal Muhammad lost the welterweight belt, as Muhammad's victory would have kept Makhachev at lightweight.
- Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria, who vacated his featherweight title to move up to lightweight, will fight Charles Oliveira for the newly vacated lightweight championship at UFC 317 on June 28 in Las Vegas.
- Topuria publicly accused Makhachev of hypocrisy and dodging him, calling him "the biggest hypocrite," while Makhachev responded by highlighting he defeated all lightweight contenders and criticized Topuria's defenses and avoidance of top opponents.
- This title reshuffling reshapes the lightweight and welterweight divisions, setting Makhachev for a welterweight title shot likely in early fall, and pitting Topuria and Oliveira for lightweight gold.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Islam Makhachev Leaves Door Open For Super Fight After Heated Response
After Islam Makhachev made the decision to move up to the welterweight division following Jack Della Maddalena’s (JDM) win over the previous champion, Belal Muhammad; former featherweight champ, Ilia Topuria, accused the 4 x UFC Lightweight Champion of intentionally dodging him. On June 28, another dream will come true. Iâll be the champion of the lightweight division. Charles, my apologies in advance⦠Iâm just fighting for my dreams. Itâ…
Makhachev to face Della Maddalena
For a good while, it was thought that if Islam Makhachev took a shot at the welterweight title, he'd have his lightweight belt to fall back on. After all, two-division champion status has become a coveted resume line in MMA, and Makhachev recently said he planned to challenge new welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena after he upset Belal Muhammad for the belt at UFC 315 – and made every indication he still had work to do at lightweight. But…
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