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.

UFC 317 is set, but questions remain about what could've been if matchmakers had made some different calls for both Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev.

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.