Islam Makhachev has larger issues on his thoughts than the place he sits within the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.
The now former UFC light-weight champion was displaced from his No. 1 rating after Ilia Topuria scored a vicious knockout over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to assert the vacant title at 155 kilos. That win helped Topuria change into a two-division champion after beforehand successful and defending the featherweight crown.
Whereas Makhachev has been cemented atop these rankings for fairly a while, he’s not too frightened about Topuria usurping him because the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter as a result of he understands how this sport works.
“Properly, it’s advertising,” Makhachev advised UFC Eurasia in Abu Dhabi. “They do it on function to [hype] up this battle that folks had been already keen on. This implies they’re doing the appropriate factor. We’ll battle for first place.”
Makhachev was anticipated to defend the light-weight title towards Topuria had his buddy and frequent coaching companion Belal Muhammad profitable defended his welterweight belt again in Could. Ultimately, Muhammad suffered a loss to present champion Jack Della Maddalena, which opened the door for Makhachev to lastly transfer to 170 kilos so he might additionally earn the chance to change into a two-division champion.
Whereas a battle towards Topuria might nonetheless occur down the highway, Makhachev has his sights set on Della Maddalena and now he’s simply ready for just a few last particulars to get sorted out so the matchup turns into official.
“Properly, we have already got 90 p.c of the settlement,” Makhachev mentioned in regards to the battle. “Most likely in November.”
November stands because the annual date for the UFC to land in New York Metropolis with an occasion on the historic Madison Sq. Backyard area. Rumors have swirled for weeks that Makhachev vs. Della Maddalena might probably headline that occasion and now the Dagestan native has confirmed as a lot.
Nothing is finalized but but it surely’s anticipated that the welterweight title battle occurs earlier than the top of 2025 and there are solely two extra pay-per-view occasions that also want headliners. A type of is the UFC card in New York Metropolis with one last occasion deliberate in December, probably in Las Vegas.
