After the chaos of UFC 321, which is extensively being considered one of many worst playing cards of 2025, followers are longing for redemption because the promotion returns to Madison Sq. Backyard for UFC 322. Headlining the occasion, Islam Makhachev will transfer as much as welterweight to problem Jack Della Maddalena for the 170-pound title, aiming to turn out to be a two-division champion. Curiously, Makhachev’s transfer has been on the radar of reigning light-weight king Ilia Topuria for a while.
The rationale for that is that the Spaniard hoped to face the Dagestani at UFC 317 to chase his personal double-champ ambitions. Although Topuria achieved that feat by knocking out Charles Oliveira in below three minutes, his curiosity in a future showdown with Makhachev stays sturdy. In a twist that has followers buzzing, Makhachev has now responded positively to Topuria’s problem, setting the stage for a possible blockbuster conflict at subsequent yr’s White Home occasion.
Islam Makhachev Open to Dealing with Ilia Topuria Even at 155lbs for the Proper Value
In a latest interview with Brett Okamoto of ESPN, Islam Makhachev fueled pleasure by addressing the potential for lastly dealing with Ilia Topuria. The previous light-weight champion joined the rising record of UFC stars, together with Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, and Merab Dvalishvili, who’ve all expressed curiosity in competing on the huge White Home card in June 2026.
When requested in regards to the potential superfight with the Spaniard, Makhachev mentioned, “He desires to struggle in White Home, I additionally wish to be there. It’s gonna be massive struggle for the MMA group.”
Islam able to face Ilia within the White Home 🇺🇸🔥
When requested if it’s the most important struggle within the UFC proper now, Islam mentioned —“ He wish to struggle within the White Home and I additionally wish to be there.”“ I feel, yeah, it’s gonna be massive for the MMA group.”“ If UFC desires this struggle, we… pic.twitter.com/2Ybg6pA4ky
— Pink Nook MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 27, 2025
He then spoke in regards to the magnitude of such a matchup, including, “If the UFC need this struggle, we are able to do that. I do know the UFC wish to do an enormous struggle on the White Home, which struggle is gonna be larger than this? I’ve a great struggle now and I do know Ilia goes struggle quickly. We’ll see what’s going to be taking place.”
Curiously, Makhachev even hinted that he would possibly think about making the reduce right down to light-weight for the bout. He defined, “170 goes to be higher for me. If I’ve to chop to 155, it’s going to be arduous. Dana White has to pay for this.”
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Islam Makhachev says Dana White has to pay him if he desires the struggle with Ilia Topuria at 155 😂
“170 goes to be higher for me. If I’ve to chop to 155, it’s going to be arduous. Dana White has to pay for this.”
(through @espnmma ) pic.twitter.com/AqqF5nUB2v
— Pink Nook MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 27, 2025
Okamoto additionally talked about the potential benefit of Makhachev’s Ramadan quick, which might naturally assist him shed weight. To that, Makhachev responded, “Yeah, Ramadan additionally, you shed weight, you realize. We are going to see, after the struggle [UFC 322], once I cease to make use of the creatine and protein, we are going to see how a lot is my weight.”
For context, Makhachev moved as much as 170lbs as a result of extreme weight cuts he endured at light-weight. At 34 years previous, many believed he would by no means return to 155lbs. Nonetheless, his newest feedback counsel that if the UFC provides the suitable incentive, he might take that problem as soon as extra.
This growth has followers buzzing, particularly after Topuria not too long ago reignited the dialog throughout a press convention in Georgia. The light-weight champion mentioned that if Makhachev defeats Della Maddalena on November fifteenth, he is able to face him subsequent, even when it means shifting as much as welterweight and trying to seize a 3rd UFC title.
