UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev said he will not vacate the title if he moves up to welterweight. Saturday’s main event at UFC 315 features current welterweight champion Belal Muhammad looking to defend his title against Jack Della Maddalena.

Islam Makhachev, the UFC lightweight king, declared he will retain his 155-pound crown no matter the result of UFC 315’s welterweight showdown. The event, set for May 10, 2025, at Bell Centre in Montreal,

Talks of a behind-the-scenes push for Islam Makhachev to jump to Belal Muhammad’s division grew after Hunter Campbell’s recent visit to Dagestan. The UFC executive was photographed with Makhachev and his manager,