The lightweight champion has now broken the record for most UFC title defences at 155lb, but isn’t keen to challenge former training partner Belal Muhammad for the welterweight belt. Instead, he wants to bulk up to 185lb and challenge the winner of Strickland’s fight with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312.

Islam Makhachev has discussed a move to middleweight. Dana White believes the UFC Lightweight Champion should consider welterweight instead.

Islam Makhachev left many scratching their heads with his bold claim on being able to move up to 185 pounds and win a title. Makhachev, who holds the UFC lightweight title, is regarded by many as the No.

UFC boss, Dana White has shut down Islam Makhachev's callout of middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis, stating that it would be too much for him.

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best submissions from January 2025: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological or

Hooker's encounter with Makhachev in 2021 was rough, resulting in a first-round submission loss via kimura. However the circumstances weren't ideal, as Hooker traveled to Abu Dhab

Islam Makhachev wants multi-division championship glory, but one UFC analyst would prefer to see him stick in his own lane.

Following Islam Makhachev's big win at UFC 311, the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world wants to move up to face Dricus Du Plessis.

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has been backed for future middleweight success by Shara Magomedov.

Beneil Dariush has an interesting pick for the UFC lightweight who has the best chance of dethroning Islam Makhachev.

There, the UFC executive largely shut down Islam Makhachev’s tease of a move to 185 pounds. While Dana White has no issue with the lightweight champion moving up to welterweight, a move to middleweight is a bridge too far for the promoter.

Sean Strickland has a scathing warning for Islam Makhachev if he's actually considering a move to middleweight one day.