Russian star Islam Makhachev will officially leave his lightweight championship at the end of next month, according to UFC CEO Dana White.
Makhachev, who still holds a lightweight crown at the time of publication, will see his championship leave when the opening buzzer for the UFC 317 headliner sound takes place in “Sin City” next month.
And contesting for the vacant belt is former champion and former foe Charles Oliveira, back in a showdown against undefeated former featherweight kingpin Ilia Topria.
Islamic Mahachev is set to open a lightweight throne
White on social media tonight, as mentioned above, American Kickboxing Academy star Islam Makachev opens his belt in terms of making a welterweight move to fight Dera Madarena, behind his impressive title ascension against Beral Muhammad at UFC 315 last weekend.
“Current lightweight champion Islam Makachev will be moving to the welterweight division to face Jacques de Ramaddarena,” White said in a live stream on Instagram. “UFC 317 International Fight Week, June 28. You all vacated his featherweight title at Ilia Topuria, unbeaten, 16-0, and now he will rise to the lightweight champion and face the vacant lightweight title for Charles Oliveira, ranked 2nd.
Finally defending the final lightweight title at the beginning of the year, Islamic Mahachev became the most prolific lightweight champion in promotional history, beating his short-lived opponent, Renato Moikano.
Behind the above, Della Maddalena’s title is Muhammad, a training partner and friend of Quebec’s Makachev last weekend, who quickly confirmed plans to pursue a welterweight move to become the Octagon’s two-part champion.
