Overview
- Islam Makhachev reiterated he will not return to 155 pounds and says any bout with Ilia Topuria must take place at welterweight.
- Dana White told Complex News that decisions on Makhachev’s next opponent will wait on Topuria’s availability, tempering talk of Kamaru Usman for now.
- Reporting from UFC-connected journalists indicates the promotion does not plan to strip Topuria and could authorize interim title defenses in his absence.
- Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett is slated for the interim lightweight belt at UFC 324, maintaining activity while Topuria remains out for personal reasons.
- Makhachev pointed to Arman Tsarukyan as a pressing challenger for Topuria, as Pimblett pushes for stripping the champ by mid-2026 and Merab Dvalishvili touts Topuria’s chances—even at 170—as his opinion.