UFC Champ Islam Makhachev Claims He's Accepted Opponent in ...
UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev claims that he’s officially started preparations for his next fight.
www.si.comHere’s the latest available on Islam Makhachev’s next fight.
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Summary: In 2025 there were strong signals that Makhachev vacated the lightweight title to pursue a second belt at welterweight, with discussions centering on a possible move up to 170 lbs and a potential title matchup against Jack Della Maddalena or a subsequent big welterweight bout. Several outlets around mid-2025 reported that a fight at welterweight was being lined up, though dates and official announcements varied. By early 2026, reports and fan speculation continued to hinge on UFC plans for a high-profile welterweight clash, with hopes for an August timeframe mentioned in some sources. These pieces reflect rumors and reported plans rather than universally confirmed contracts.[1][3][4][7]
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Notable suggested opponents (as discussed in media rumors): Jack Della Maddalena (current welterweight champion in some reports), Belal Muhammad, Ian Machado Garry, Ilia Topuria, Khamzat Chimaev, and Kamaru Usman have appeared in fan and media speculation as potential next foes. None of these were universally confirmed as the sole next opponent across all outlets as of the last updates.[4][5][7][9][1]
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Official status and timing: There have been intermittent claims of verbal agreements or preparation for a specific opponent, but multiple outlets emphasized that formal contracts and a definitive date were not yet finalized at various points in 2025–early 2026. Dana White and UFC coverage around this period repeatedly framed the welterweight path as a possibility rather than a guaranteed next fight.[3][7][4]
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Context on titles: If Makhachev does defend at welterweight, it would mark a historic two-weight treble in a span, but the exact trajectory depended on ongoing negotiations and scheduling with the UFC. Several pieces highlighted that the path to a second belt would require the UFC to align a welterweight title picture around him, with other champions and contenders in the mix.[3][4]
Would you like me to pull the most recent, verified announcements from the UFC or major outlets and summarize any confirmed plans, dates, or contracts? I can also fetch direct sources and, if you want, compare the strongest contender rumors side by side.