UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev finds himself embroiled in controversy following Jack Della Maddalena’s upset victory over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315. His interest in moving up to welterweight was not a secret.

Islam Makhachev is currently chasing greatness as the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world, seeking legendary MMA status. He The post Islam Makhachev’s Big Dreams Faces Major Warning from UFC Legend Chael Sonnen: “He is a Smaller Guy” appeared first on FirstSportz.

Former UFC champ shuts down rumors of Islam Makhachev wishing Belal Muhammad to lose, clarifying his true stance and intentions.

Paddy Pimblett expects UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev's move up to welterweight to heavily impact what's next for him.

The new 170-pound champion hinted that he will give the Dagestani a chance to get the double belt. The main event of UFC 315 between Jack Della Maddalena (18-2) and Belal Muhammad (24-4) was one of the great fights of 2025 so far,

Makhachev is already the UFC lightweight champion. He won the division’s coveted belt with a submission win over Charles Oliveira in 2022, and has since defended it four times. His first two defenses came against featherweight legend Alexander Volkanovski. Since then, he has defended the belt with finishes of Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano.

Pierre, as he will look to use his career as a way to bounce back from his Jack Della Maddalena loss. Belal lost his UFC Welterweight Title in the first defense of his belt, having secured it from Leon Edwards.

The events of this past week helped settle the lightweight-welterweight stalemate in the UFC. Belal Muhammad’s loss at UFC 315 opened up the opportunity for Islam Makhachev to move up to welterweight—one he has been waiting for a long time.