Significant news has recently emerged from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, impacting both the lightweight and middleweight divisions. Islam Makhachev has declared he is relinquishing his UFC lightweight title. His plan is to move up to the welterweight division to challenge the new champion, Jack Della Maddalena, later this year.
This decision by Makhachev opens up the lightweight title picture. As a result, Ilia Topuria is now scheduled to compete against Charles Oliveira for the newly vacant 155-pound championship. This highly anticipated bout is set to be the main event of UFC 317, which will serve as the culmination of International Fight Week next month.
In addition to the lightweight shake-up, a major middleweight title defense has been announced. Dricus du Plessis is slated to put his middleweight belt on the line against Khamzat Chimaev. This pivotal fight is expected to take place at UFC 319 in Chicago.
These critical announcements, alongside other recent event outcomes and upcoming matchups (such as discussions around Belal Muhammad`s next opponent or the Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales fight), are key topics of analysis as experts assess the evolving landscape of the UFC divisions.
Wesley Dunham