Islam Makhachev creates more confusion, refuses to vacate lightweight title regardless of post-UFC 315 decision

Dan Hiergesell is an expert voice who serves as MMAmania.com's weekend editor, covering mixed martial arts (MMA) for more than 15 years, getting featured on programs such as Countdown to UFC and SiriusXM Fight Club, among others.

Islam Makhachev’s next move will be determined by the outcome of UFC 315’s main event this weekend between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, but regardless of what happens after that Makhachev is refusing to vacate his UFC lightweight title.

Makhachev has long wanted to test his luck in the welterweight division, but now that Muhammad is champion and has become a close friend of Team Makhahcev it makes things more complicated. If Muhammad wins at UFC 315 then Makhachev will stay put at 155 pounds. If Muhammad loses to Della Maddalena then Makhachev will move up and challenge JDM for his second UFC title.

Dana White and UFC matchmakers are already planning for both options. If Makhachev doesn’t move up then Ilia Topuria, who just vacated his UFC featherweight title, will get the next crack at the UFC lightweight belt. If Makhachev does move up then Topuria will meet former UFC champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant 155-pound title. This appears to be the plan, but Makhachev has already caused come confusion.

On Friday, the reigning pound-for-pound best fighter in the world took to social media to announce that even if he moves up to welterweight next he has no plans of vacating his UFC lightweight belt. That would mean Topuria and Oliveira would have to fight for an interim belt later this year or no belt at all instead of the actual title.

Very confusing stuff, folks. Check out Makhachev’s comments below (via X) and let us know your thoughts!

“This Saturdays main event will define what’s my next move is. But regardless of outcome that fight, I’m not going to vacate my lightweight title! We might get real contender there!”

LIVE! Watch UFC 315 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

TWO TITLE TILTS! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., May 10, 2025, with a championship doubleheader headlining UFC 315 from Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In the main event, Welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad, defends his title against striking sensation, Jack Della Maddalena (not Shavkat), in a thrilling five-round clash. UFC 315’s PPV co-main event features women’s Flyweight queenpin, Valentina Shevchenko, beginning her second reign against top-ranked contender, Manon Fiorot, in a high-stakes, five-round battle. UFC 315 also showcases a Bantamweight showdown between legend Jose Aldo and Aiemann Zahabi, as well as a women’s Flyweight bout pitting Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva and much more! UFC 315’s start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (“Early Prelims”), 8 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard), and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).

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MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 315 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ preliminary card matches at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the UFC 315 PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 315: “Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 315 fight card and PPV lineup click here.