Makhachev dodges Topuria: “It’s time to be double champion”

A poor strategic decision in the Belal Muhammad fight left the highly anticipated matchup everyone was waiting for hanging in the balance. The Palestinian fighter abandoned his usual grappling-heavy style and opted to box with Jack Della Maddalena—a move that cost him his welterweight title via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) at UFC 315 in Canada.

This event was crucial in determining the future of Ilia Topuria, who had been waiting on Islam Makhachev’s decision: would the lightweight champ stay in his division or move up?

With Muhammad now out of the picture, the 170-pound division looks like the next stop for the Russian and, potentially, Charles Oliveira—lining up as the Spanish-Georgian’s likely opponent for June 28 in Las Vegas.

A switch in style for Makhachev

Had Belal retained his crown, Makhachev was expected to remain at lightweight and defend the belt against Topuria. But his loss seems to have changed everything. Though Makhachev stated he wouldn’t vacate the title regardless of his friend’s result, all signs now suggest he’s preparing to test himself in a new weight class. That would put Oliveira in pole position to face Topuria this summer in Vegas.

Although the Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena bout was an entertaining scrap, it felt like a golden opportunity for one of the most explosive fights in recent memory slipped away.

The opening moments of the fight were tentative. The former champion kept a high guard, staying composed and moving cautiously. As promised, he tried to box—but Della Maddalena quickly began landing sharp, dangerous shots with increasing frequency. Muhammad looked uncomfortable and shot for a takedown, but the Australian defended well and escaped.

Growing in confidence, Della Maddalena continued to control the stand-up, while Muhammad struggled to find rhythm or range. Belal attempted four takedowns in total, all of which were stuffed, and the Australian answered with well-placed kicks. Della Maddalena controlled the distance, connected with clean combinations, and landed a powerful hook followed by a sharp right hand.

Muhammad pressed forward and tried to turn the tide with grappling, attempting to take his opponent’s back. In the final round, he finally secured the first takedown of the fight—but couldn’t maintain control on the ground. Della Maddalena’s dominance was undeniable, and by the end, the former champ looked visibly shaken.

Related stories

Real Madrid

Vini Jr’s astronomical new contract revealed

NBA

LeBron James defiant over playoff elimination

“I think it’s a wonderful challenge. He’s number one, and that’s what comes with it,” Della Maddalena said when asked about a potential fight with Makhachev. For now, everything remains uncertain—but one thing is clear: this result opens the door for Makhachev to move up, something he’s been considering for some time. Topuria is now on standby, with Charles Oliveira looking like the frontrunner for a high-stakes June 28 clash.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.