Overview
- Makhachev will challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight championship at UFC 322 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden.
- Makhachev vacated the lightweight belt in May and says cutting to 155 pounds left him competing at roughly 60% of his ability, prompting the move to 170.
- The UFC refreshed its official pound-for-pound rankings on Oct. 29, keeping Topuria at No. 1 and Makhachev at No. 2.
- Both have expressed interest in meeting on a UFC card being discussed for the White House in June 2026, though the event and any bouts have not been announced.
- A win over Della Maddalena would make Makhachev a two-division champion and tie Anderson Silva’s UFC record of 16 straight victories, while Topuria’s next lightweight defense remains undecided with Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje among the candidates and Paddy Pimblett dismissed by Makhachev.