Islam’s Mahachev is taking over his talent to welterweight in a booked battle with new champion Jacques Della Maddalena.
With Makhachev officially moving to £170, UFC CEO Dana White has announced that he has vacated a lightweight title to pursue gold in the new division. Ilia Topuria currently faces Charles Oliveira and wins the new lightweight champion at UFC 317 in June.
As for Makhachev, his path was cleared after his friend and frequent training partner Beral Muhammad lost to Della Madarena at UFC 315 last weekend.
As long as Muhammad is the champion, Makhachev vowed that he would not rise to welterweight, but everything changed after Della Madalena captured the belt with an impressive unanimous decision victory.
Shortly after the fight was over, Della Madarena welcomed the fight against Makhachev and said she would get his wish in the expected battle later this year.
Makhachev will fight as a 1-pound fighter in the sport, hoping to become a two-division champion.
White said both fighters agreed to a matchup, but now they only get a grasp of the date and location of the battle, but Della Madalena is already pushing Australia’s homeland as a potential landing site.
In any case, Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev is due later this year as the longest governing champion in UFC history will suffer a stab wound from winning gold in the new division.