UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev hasn`t scheduled his next title defense since submitting last-minute replacement Renato Moicano in January. According to Diego Lima, who trains and manages top contender Charles Oliveira, Makhachev needs to either defend his belt promptly or relinquish it.
Makhachev is reportedly waiting for the outcome of the UFC 315 welterweight title fight between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena on May 10. Should Della Maddalena emerge victorious, there`s speculation that Makhachev might pursue a challenge for the 170-pound championship.
Even when considering the situation from the UFC`s standpoint, rather than solely as Oliveira`s manager, Lima emphasized the rationale behind establishing an interim belt if Makhachev delays his lightweight defense.
“If Makhachev decides to move up? Then he should lose the belt,” Lima stated. “It`s comparable to the situation with Ilia Topuria. I believe the UFC will require him to make a choice. If he declares his intention to fight at 170 pounds, then an interim title becomes necessary. You simply cannot put an entire division on hold. Personally, I find it preposterous to freeze a whole weight class.”
“When an athlete transitions to a higher weight class, they must either vacate their existing title or an interim championship must be created. If a champion takes an excessive amount of time contemplating their next move, that`s when an interim belt is needed. The division must maintain momentum. Fighters work tirelessly to attain the belt, only to sometimes become stagnant once they possess it. It shouldn`t operate this way.”
Following his victory over Michael Chandler, Oliveira`s initial plan was to serve as the backup for the planned January bout between Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. However, Lima claims the UFC informed them no backup fighter was needed. When Tsarukyan withdrew just hours before the weigh-ins, Renato Moicano stepped in to challenge for the title.
Oliveira had subsequently been campaigning for a rematch with Makhachev, potentially as a headliner for the traditional International Fight Week card in Las Vegas, or a BMF title clash against Max Holloway. While Makhachev`s next opponent remains undecided, Holloway is now slated to face Dustin Poirier at UFC 318.
The lightweight title picture is further complicated by the entry of Ilia Topuria, who vacated his featherweight title with ambitions in the lightweight division. Makhachev has publicly asserted that Topuria should earn a title shot by first defeating a contender at 155 pounds. Oliveira, for his part, has expressed willingness to face Topuria, provided it is for an interim belt.
“If I were Topuria`s manager,” Lima commented, “I wouldn`t have advised him to vacate his title and move up without a clear objective or prior negotiation. I`m uncertain if that`s the case, as there are many details we aren`t currently aware of.”
He added, “Regarding Makhachev, he has frequently stated his desire to move up in weight. The lightweight belt lies between Charles and Makhachev, and that is our ultimate objective. However, reaching the belt is presently obstructed by two factors: the outcome of Belal Muhammad`s fight, which is uncertain, and the situation with Topuria, specifically the negotiations surrounding him vacating his belt and moving up a division.”
