Before Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) vacated his UFC lightweight title, he dismissed ex-featherweight champ Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) as his next title challenger. He wasn't interested in defending his belt against another 145-pounder coming up a weight class after two of his four lightweight title defenses coming over Alexander Volkanovski.

Islam Makhachev is signing up for a superfight. UFC CEO Dana White announced Tuesday that the lightweight champion is vacating his belt to jump up to the 170-pound division to face newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena.

Ilia Topuria might not be without gold for much longer. Topuria vacated his UFC featherweight championship in February as he prepared for a permanent move to lightweight. His first fight as a full-time lightweight will be for the vacant title when he takes on Charles Oliveira, UFC president Dana White announced on Tuesday.