Overview

• Ilia Topuria, the former featherweight champion, has vacated his title and is demanding an immediate lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev.
• Topuria asserts that the UFC promised him a title fight, but Makhachev's camp, led by Khabib Nurmagomedov, opposes this and favors Arman Tsarukyan as a more deserving contender.
• Khabib Nurmagomedov argues that Topuria has not proven himself at lightweight and that a fight with him would not enhance Makhachev's legacy.
• Rumors of a potential Makhachev vs. Topuria fight during International Fight Week in June remain unconfirmed, with no official announcement from the UFC.
• Makhachev's aspirations to move to welterweight are currently stalled due to his friendship with champion Belal Muhammad, adding further complexity to the lightweight title picture.