Islam Makhachev is signing up for a superfight. Just not the one many were expecting.
UFC CEO Dana White announced Tuesday that the lightweight champion is vacating his belt to jump up to the 170-pound division to face newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena.
The move was rumored for months, with Makhachev wanting to chase a second title, but not at the expense of close friend Belal Muhammad. That became a non-issue this past Saturday when Muhammad lost the welterweight title to Della Maddalena, clearing the path for Makhachev, who is set to fight Della Maddalena at a date and location still to be determined.
While the matchup could allow for Makhachev to add to his pound-for-pound legacy or for Della Maddalena to reach a new level of stardom, not everyone is thrilled that Makhachev is departing the lightweight division. Undefeated featherweight champion Ilia Topuria vacated his title this past February in pursuit of glory at 155 pounds, and fight fans were suddenly this close to seeing arguably the two best fighters in the world face off.
Instead, Makhachev fights Della Maddalena, and Topuria now meets Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 317 on June 28 for a vacant lightweight title.
Check out reactions to the two matchups below.
