UFC Has a Major Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria Problem

Newsweek

12-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The UFC is heading for a confusing place regarding International Fight Week. The annual marquee event generally features a huge main event, and many believed that a matchup between current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria would be that matchup.
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That was until the events of UFC 315 prompted a response from Makhachev. The dominant champion revealed he would be moving up to middleweight to challenge new champion Jack Della Maddalena, who defeated Belal Muhammad at UFC 315.
Following the fight, Makhachev made it a point to go after Della Maddalena, stating in a post on X:
"You are not Volk, I will show you different level. Keep my belt clean."
Della Maddalena welcomed the challenge, but this presents a problem that the UFC has with the lightweight belt and Topuria moving up.
The UFC Problem With Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Islam Makhachev of Russia reacts after his victor by submission over Renato Moicano of Brazil, not pictured, in a lightweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome on January...
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Islam Makhachev of Russia reacts after his victor by submission over Renato Moicano of Brazil, not pictured, in a lightweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California. MoreMore news: Exclusive: Peter Murray Reveals New International Expansion of PFL Africa
Makhachev stated plainly that he would not vacate his lightweight title to move up and challenge Della Maddalena. He would instead want to chase becoming a double champ, which is well within his rights due to his dominance in the lightweight division.
The usual case for champions who move up is that they are so dominant at their current weight class, they move up for a bigger challenge.
Makhachev is the right kind of champion for that. He defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 to take the lightweight belt. Following his win, he would face Alexander Volkanovski, who moved up due to dominating the featherweight division.
Though it's been argued plenty that Volkanovski won the first fight, he was knocked out in the pair's second meeting. Makhachev would then go on a run, taking down Dustin Poirier and most recently defeating Renato Moicano.
This leaves Topuria. The former featherweight champion vacated his title a bit too early. After securing the belt by also taking down Volkanovski, he almost became the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway.
Topuria only defended his title once before moving up, which is generally unheard of in the UFC.
Topuria moving up was believed to be so that he could face Makhachev for the lightweight title. Many have argued he should not be given a title shot immediately due to his not holding the featherweight belt for that long.
The issue is that the UFC has already been delaying the announcement that Topuria and Makhachev would be the main event for International Fight Week. There are only about 40 days between now and when the main event will take place on June 28.
That time might not be enough for both fighters to have a good enough camp.
It also appears that Makhachev wants to face Della Maddalena for the welterweight title.
Should the UFC spurn Topuria and allow Makhachev to face Maddalena, that could impact Topuria in a very major way.
Then again, there are plenty of high-level lightweight talent for Topuria to fight to secure his No. 1 contender status. Arman Tsarukyan, Oliveira, or Justin Gaethje would make sense as a contender fight for Topuria.
The UFC needs to announce the headliner for International Fight Week, and if it is to be Makhachev vs Topuria, they will need proper time to prepare.
Either way, the organization has a major problem on its hands by delaying the Makhachev vs Topuria fight that was assumed to be the main event at International Fight Week.
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