Islam Makhachev has officially kicked off his training camp! Following his victory over Renato Moicano, a flurry of potential matchups began to circulate in the MMA community. While a high-profile bout with Ilia Topuria gained the most traction, other rumors suggested that Makhachev might be eyeing a move up to welterweight, having seemingly dominated the lightweight division. However, the latest updates have reignited discussions among fight fans and analysts alike.
Recent reports from Alvaro Colmenero indicate that Makhachev is gearing up for a significant fight, likely to defend his lightweight title against Ilia Topuria. Assessing the current landscape, Topuria emerges as the most logical contender for the Dagestani fighter at this juncture.
🚨 Islam Makhachev has started a training camp for his upcoming fight 👀
(per @KOlmeneroMMA) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/pSkmimlYR9
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 25, 2025
Meanwhile, Belal Muhammad is poised to take on Jack Della Maddalena for his first title defense, significantly reducing the likelihood of Makhachev’s immediate move to welterweight. Notably, Muhammad has expressed respect for Makhachev, indicating he would not seek a fight with him. This sets the stage for a potentially thrilling superfight with Topuria, particularly as recent developments confirm that Topuria is in line for a lightweight title clash.
UFC Pressures Islam Makhachev to Fight or Vacate!
Ilia Topuria has made it clear that the UFC has promised him a title shot in the lightweight division. To further complicate matters, the organization has reportedly urged Makhachev to either step into the octagon soon or relinquish his title. This ultimatum, according to Alvaro Colmenero’s updates, could force Makhachev to either accept a high-stakes fight with Topuria or consider a change in weight classes.
It’s undisputed UFC lightweight gold on the line at UFC 317 for Ilia Topuria, regardless of whether Islam Makhachev shows up or not 👀 pic.twitter.com/k0DsxJtIua
— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) April 23, 2025
The reluctance from Makhachev and his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, to grant Topuria a shot stems from the belief that he has not yet faced enough challenges to warrant a title opportunity. Despite Makhachev’s past victories over former featherweight champions, the recent news about his training camp signifies a strong possibility of an explosive fight ahead.
