Islam Makhachev has something bigger in his heart than where he sits in the UFC pound pound rankings.
The former UFC lightweight champion was expelled from his No. 1 rankings after Ilia Topuria hit a markedly knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, winning the vacant title at 155 pounds. That victory helped Topuria become a two-division champion after winning and defending the featherweight crown previously.
Makhachev has been stuck on top of those rankings for quite some time, but he understands how the sport works and isn’t too worried about Topria taking him as a 1-pound pound for pound fighter.
“Well, that’s marketing,” Makachev told UFC Eurasia in Abu Dhabi. “They are intentional to (hype) this fight that people are already interested in. This means they’re doing the right thing. We’re fighting in the first place.”
Macachov was expected to defend the lightweight title against Toplia. His friend and frequent training partner, Beral Muhammad, defended the welterweight belt in May. In the end, Muhammad lost to current champion Jacques Della Madalena. Jack Della Madalena got the opportunity to open the door to Makhachev to eventually move to 170 pounds and become a two-division champion.
The fight against Topuria is still likely to occur in the future, but Makhachev is aiming for Della Maddalena.
“Well, we already have 90% of the contract,” Makachev said of the fight. “Perhaps in November.”
November is the annual day when the UFC lands in New York City, with an event at the historic Madison Square Garden Arena. Makhachev vs. Della Maddalena could be the headline for the event, and now rumours have been swirling for weeks that Dagestan’s natives can be confirmed as well.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but the welterweight title fight will take place by the end of 2025, with only two more pay-per-view events requiring headliners. One of them is a UFC card in New York City, with one final event scheduled for December, which will likely take place in Las Vegas.