Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is setting his sights on welterweight gold—a dream that he has been chasing for quite some time now. However, Makhachev made one thing clear—no matter what unfolds, he has no intention of relinquishing his 155-pound crown. Rumors had swirled that a welterweight pursuit might lead him to vacate lightweight. Especially after featherweight king Ilia Topuria recently gave up his title to jump up to 155. But Makhachev isn’t following that playbook—he’s aiming to hold both belts at once.

The Dagestani champion had his eyes set on the recently concluded UFC 315 main event fight. He also took to his X account to share a message for the fans. The 33-year-old wrote, “This Saturday’s main event will define what’s my next move is. But regardless of outcome that fight, I’m not going to vacate my lightweight title! We might get real contender there!” Well, the main event has definitely given clarity to Makhachev.

But what about him vacating his belt at 155 pounds? Many in the community feel that he should give up his belt, particularly since Dana White made it clear that champions moving weight classes would have to relinquish their belt. Furthermore, holding up the belt could put the lightweight division on a standstill, just like the heavyweight division. However, former UFC champion Michael Bisping doesn’t quite think so.

‘The Count’ feels the champion should be allowed to hold the belt just because of the dominant champion he has been in the division. He said, “I don’t think we should strip Islam Makhachev. But the conversation is out there. That narrative does exist. Some people are saying that online as well. That if he’s going to walk away from the lightweight championship, then you don’t get to keep the belt. I disagree. I think he’s been such a great champion. I think he deserves the opportunity that others have been afforded, like, Georges St-Pierre, Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, [and] Daniel Cormier.” 

It’s interesting to note that while Dana White did say that champions would have to relinquish their belts if they planned on moving up, he did make the exception for those who’d be able make weight and actively defend two belts at a time. But Ben Askren doesn’t quite support the idea of Islam holding the lightweight belt while still moving up to 170.

The former Bellator and ONE welterweight champion, never one to mince his words, didn’t hold back on a recent episode of the Funky and The Champ podcast. Speaking candidly, the former UFC fighter said, “I think Dana (White) should just do Dana stuff and just say, ‘Hey, Islam, if you don’t want to fight, you’re stripped.” Bold? Yes. But that definitely won’t be easy at all.

Makhachev is, without a doubt, one of the biggest names in the division with four title defenses under his belt. But that is not the reason to have him stripped. He can’t be stripped, mainly because of the man standing behind him, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Well, this is what at least Chael Sonnen thinks. 

Islam Makhachev’s lightweight belt is untouchable for one particular reason

Is Islam Makhachev too good to face the consequences? That was the question at the heart of a recent episode of the Good Guy/Bad Guy podcast, where Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier dissected the increasingly complex state of the lightweight division. With the Dagestani star eyeing a second belt and Ilia Topuria pressing hard for his shot, the road ahead is anything but clear, and the division feels more tangled than ever. The discussion took a dramatic turn when Daniel Cormier brought up whispers of Islam Makhachev potentially being stripped of his title.

But in Sonnon’s eyes, Makhachev’s belt isn’t just protected by his skill—it’s shielded by legacy. Behind him stands Khabib Nurmagomedov, a name so powerful and respected that, according to ‘The American Gangster’, the UFC wouldn’t risk crossing it, even indirectly. Cormier initially started the conversation, stating, “I saw something yesterday that said it’s either defend or be stripped for Islam.” 

But Sonnen wasn’t buying it. He was quick to respond, “I heard that too, but there’s no way that’s true. Nobody would dare cross King Khabib. No way. Not in this they wouldn’t even when Khabib tried to give his own damn belt back, they wouldn’t accept it.” 

But here’s the real question: can the UFC truly risk stripping Makhachev—Khabib Nurmagomedov’s chosen successor—over a disagreement about a fight? Or will he keep on holding the belt? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.