Ilia Topuria e Islam makhachev are big names in the UFC. photo: SUPER FIGHTS Montage
Recently, the UFC has experienced a real 'musical chairs' regarding its champions. Ilia Topuria gave up the featherweight belt (up to 65,7 kg) to try for the lightweight title (up to 70,2 kg) against Islam makhachev. However, Dagestanis also moved up a category and moved to the welterweight division (up to 77 kg). According to Umar Nurmagomedov, all this movement is part of a UFC plan.
In an interview with Adam Zubayraev's channel, Umar revealed that the UFC, through Hunter Campbell, tried to convince Islam to move up to welterweight to pave the way and facilitate Topuria's coronation as the new lightweight champion. Despite the proposal, Makhachev did not agree with the idea and made it clear that he wanted to keep his lightweight title, even while seeking a second belt.
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“Hunter went to see Islam, and they wanted Islam to move up a weight class. They want to make Topuria the 70kg champion. They believe he can really sell fights. But Islam didn’t want to give up the belt, he also wants to continue fighting at 70kg. Islam’s plan is to win the welterweight belt (77kg) and then go back to lightweight (70kg) to hold both titles,” Nurmagomedov said.
After winning the featherweight belt against Alexander Volkanovsky and defend it before Max Holloway, Ilia Topuria will have the chance to win the second title in UFC 317, where it faces charles do brox in the main fight.
Meanwhile, Islam makhachev should be the next challenger of Jack Della Maddalena, new welterweight champion after winning at UFC 315. However, the confrontation still has no set date.
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