Overview
- Islam Makhachev captured the welterweight title at UFC 322, becoming a two-division UFC champion after defeating Jack Della Maddalena.
- Ilia Topuria has voiced interest in facing Makhachev after previously targeting him at lightweight and is now weighing a move to 170 pounds.
- A Bloody Elbow analysis argues the superfight should occur at 155 pounds due to size concerns, urging Dana White to abandon it if booked at welterweight.
- Paddy Pimblett says he is waiting on Topuria’s next move yet expects to compete early next year regardless of whether he gets a lightweight title shot.
- Rising welterweights present alternatives for Makhachev, with Michael Morales scoring a first-round KO of Sean Brady and names like Carlos Prates, Ian Machado Garry, and Shavkat Rakhmonov in the mix, while fans are eyeing a potential White House card next June without a matchup confirmed.