A large chunk of the MMA community is speculating about the next move of the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, Islam Makhachev. The longer the promotion is taking to announce his next fight, the more rumors are surfacing.
Two noted UFC lightweights recently disclosed what the UFC might have in store for Makhachev. Each highlighted one situation to reveal the promotional brass’s plan for the Dagestani.
UFC Reportedly Has Two Separate Plans for Islam Makhachev
Makhachev has expressed his wish to fight for his second title multiple times. The 33-year-old talked about it for the first time after defeating Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.
However, the one thing stopping Makhachev from achieving his dreams is that Belal Muhammad currently holds the 170-pound title, who is like a brother to him. That may not be the case after UFC 315, as Muhammad would put his title on the line in the card’s main event against Jack Della Maddalena.
In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Dan Hooker, revealed that the UFC wants Makhachev to move up to welterweight and lock horns with Maddalena if Muhammad loses his title at UFC 315. The No. 6-ranked lightweight contender also claimed that the promotion is waiting for the result of Muhammad vs. Maddalena to announce Makhachev’s next fight.
He said, “If JDM [Jack Della Maddalena] wins, 100% Islam will go up and fight for the welterweight title. That’s what they [UFC] have been waiting for before anything gets announced.”
Hooker also guessed that Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria would fight for the vacant lightweight championship following Makhachev’s move to welterweight.
On the other hand, Arman Tsarukyan recently revealed what the UFC has planned for Makhachev if Muhammad wins and he remains at lightweight. In a recent interview with MONK3, he said, “If he [Makhachev] stays [at lightweight], he will fight someone. Most likely, it will be Topuria.”
🚨Arman Tsarukyan says if Islam moves up to 170, he’ll fight for the vacant lightweight title—but if Islam stays at 155, he’ll most likely fight Ilia Topuria. 💥👊
via: monk3channel IG / #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/FlZJmgDu9M
— MMA Pros Pick (@MMA_PROS_PICK_) May 1, 2025
Tsarukyan predicted he could lock horns with Topuria after the Georgian-Spaniard’s touted fight against Makhachev. Dana White was asked to comment on the fight during the UFC Kansas City post-fight press conference. He gave a cryptic answer: “We’ll see how it plays out.”
Meanwhile, Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez, was asked in an interview with Submission Radio whether the Dagestani would consider moving up to middleweight and fight Dricus du Plessis for the belt. He did not rule out the possibility, but added that Makhachev would need to put on some more muscle for the challenge.