The UFC landscape is shifting again, and with controversy, as Islam Makhachev prepares to challenge for welterweight gold. With several deserving contenders lined up at 170 pounds, the opportunity UFC will inevitably give to Makhachev is drawing some criticism.
Backlash Mounts Over UFC’s Title Fight Booking With Spotlight on Islam Makhachev
At UFC Vegas 106, 25-year-old Michael Morales sent a message to the welterweight division with a stunning first-round TKO over veteran Gilbert Burns. The undefeated Ecuadorian displayed composure and lethal timing, finishing the fight with surgical precision and moving to 6-0 in the UFC.
Morales has climbed closer to the elite tier with each win, joining names like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Ian Garry, and Sean Brady as rising threats at 170 pounds.
Wasted no time in this one 😮💨
Michael Morales gets the first round finish at #UFCVegas106! pic.twitter.com/UNNyGw9Wnw
— UFC (@ufc)
Yet, despite their growing résumés, none of them will fight for the title next. That opportunity belongs to Makhachev, who is moving up to welterweight to face newly crowned champion Jack Della Maddalena in his divisional debut.
Makhachev (27-1), one of the most dominant fighters on the roster, recently relinquished his lightweight title to pursue a second belt. His transition became official after his teammate and friend, Belal Muhammad, lost to Della Maddalena at UFC 315, removing the moral barrier preventing him from stepping into the welterweight picture.
While Makhachev’s record and skill set are undisputed, not everyone in the MMA community agrees with how quickly he’s been handed a welterweight title shot. Many believe his immediate title opportunity undermines the meritocratic structure the UFC claims to operate under.
Some members of the MMA community voiced their frustration on social media after Morales’ win.
MMA reporter Jason Hagholm wrote, “Jack Della Maddalena just won the Welterweight Championship last week. You have Ian Garry, Sean Brady, Shavkat, and now Michael Morales as serious contenders for the Welterweight Title. But Islam gets first crack. That’s a bad problem the UFC has.”
Jack Della Maddelena just won the Welterweight Championship last week
You have Ian Garry Sean Brady Shavkat & now Michael Morales as serious contenders for the Welterweight Title
But Islam gets first crack.
That's a bad problem the UFC has#UFCVegas106 #MMA #MMATwitter
— Jason Hagholm (@JHagholm1)
Veteran fighter Derek Brunson also shared his thoughts.
“The UFC welterweight division right now: JACK MADDALENA, SEAN BRADY, SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV, IAN GARRY, JOAQUIN BUCKLEY & MICHAEL MORALES. A lot of young talent and potentially fun fights,” Brunson said on X. “It’s not too late to tell Islam he has to stay at 155 [pounds].”
The UFC welterweight division right now JACK MADDALENA, SEAN BRADY, SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV, IAN GARRY, JOAQUIN BUCKLEY & MICHAEL MORALES. A lot of young talent and potentially fun fights . It’s not too late to tell Islam he has to stay at 155 😂
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson)
Others also echoed the concerns about the division’s momentum. Another fan wrote, “Welterweight is stacked now. We need JDM to prevent Islam from holding up this division.”
Welterweight is stacked now, need JDM to prevent Islam from holding up this division
— David (@utdftbl)
On the one hand, Makhachev, a proven draw and one of the most dominant champions on the roster, has earned main event status and the attention that comes with it. The UFC clearly values giving him the chance, which generates headlines and pay-per-view buys.
However, the concern many are voicing isn’t about Makhachev’s talent but fairness. The welterweight division is arguably at its most competitive in years, with five to six fresh contenders who have fought and earned their way up. Skipping over them suggests that commercial value still trumps competitive merit in UFC matchmaking.
Regardless of whether Makhachev becomes a two-division champion, it’s evident that every future welterweight breakout will only intensify the debate about whether his shortcut to the top was justified.