Islam Makhachev blows off Ilia Topuria
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After Belal Muhammad was dethroned by Jack Della Maddalena, Dagestani star Islam Makhachev had no hesitation moving up a weight class. In pursuit of a second belt, Makhachev vacated his lightweight title. Meanwhile, Spain’s Ilia Topuria — also chasing double-champ status — will now get his shot at lightweight gold this summer.
Islam Makhachev is vacating his title to make a move to welterweight to face new champion Jack Della Maddalena, which also results in Ilia Topuria taking on Charles Oliveira with the vacant lightweight belt on the line at UFC 317.
Dan Hardy backs UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena against Islam Makhachev. Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) impressed Hardy in his title-winning performance against Belal Muhammad (24-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) in Saturday's UFC 315 main event at Bell Centre in Montreal.
Ilia Topuria makes a surprise cameo in the historic NFL Spain trailer, blending UFC star power with American football hype.