In a seismic shift that has sent shockwaves through the mixed martial arts community, dominant UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has officially relinquished his 155-pound championship belt to pursue glory in the welterweight division.
The stunning decision, confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White, brings an end to Makhachev's impressive reign that began in October 2022 when he defeated Charles Oliveira to claim lightweight supremacy. During his two-plus years at the top, Makhachev established himself as one of the most formidable champions in UFC history, successfully defending his title on multiple occasions.
His championship resume includes two statement victories over Alexander Volkanovski, followed by commanding performances against high-profile contenders Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano. Having thoroughly dominated the lightweight landscape, Makhachev appears ready for fresh challenges.
According to Statbet analysis, this type of divisional move historically leads to extremely competitive championship bouts with betting lines that typically favor the established champion moving up in weight by narrow margins.
Makhachev's next chapter will see him face Australian standout Jack Della Maddalena, the current 177-pound champion. While the date and venue remain undetermined, the Russian fighter's ambitions are crystal clear, as evidenced by his recent social media post: "Time to become a double champion #inshaAllah Let's go?"
This calculated move not only reshapes the competitive landscape of two UFC weight classes but also positions Makhachev to potentially join the exclusive club of fighters who have held championships in multiple divisions simultaneously—a feat that would further cement his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.
