UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev is reportedly vacating his title to make a significant move to the welterweight division. The move is intended to challenge the new welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena.
This decision directly leads to a vacant lightweight championship bout between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, which is now expected to headline UFC 317.
These major announcements were part of a broader update from UFC CEO Dana White, which also included revealing the date and location for the anticipated Dricus du Plessis versus Khamzat Chimaev clash set for UFC 319 in Chicago, among other upcoming fight bookings.
MMA Fighting contributors Alexander K. Lee and Jed Meshew provided their insights and reactions to this series of monumental fight reveals and title picture changes.
