Islam Makhachev vacates UFC lightweight title for new challenge

Islam Makhachev has made a significant decision to relinquish his UFC lightweight championship belt — a move that reflects his professional approach to the sport.

The Dagestan fighter is scheduled to face Jack Della Maddalena in a welterweight title bout later this year.

“I wanted to defend my belt in lightweight, but it’s impossible. If I fight Della Maddalena in October or November, then in February, Ramadan begins,” Makhachev explained.

UFC business director Hunter Campbell made a special visit to Dagestan before UFC 315 — a meeting that resulted in in-depth discussions about Makhachev’s future in the organization.

“Hunter came to my locker room and said, ‘Now is the right time, whenever you want to move up, you have the opportunity,'” Makhachev shared about his conversation with Campbell.

This decision came after Belal Muhammad lost to Della Maddalena at UFC 315 — a moment that paved the way for Makhachev to pursue a title in a higher division.