The suspense around the Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria super-fight remains thick as ever. But there is a fresh new twist to the saga. Topuria, who vacated his featherweight belt to move up to lightweight, previously claimed that the UFC promised him a title shot at 155lbs right away. But the Dagestani poured cold water on these claims and remains adamant that ‘La Leyenda’ must prove himself as a lightweight before he gets the title shot. The two men are at an impasse.

Moreover, Khabib Nurmagomedov also reiterated the Dagestani camp’s decision in an interview with Adam Zubayraev. “I don’t know what kind of agreements Topuria and UFC had, but from Islam’s side, he already gave two title shots to 145-pound champions. Both times, Islam won. Now a third time? Okay, let’s imagine Topuria moves up and gets a title shot right away. Islam beats him. Then Topuria fights again. He loses again. So basically, he was a nobody at 155. Islam beat a nobody at 155.”

In addition, the Dagestani has his own interests and has made it clear that he wishes to move up to 170lbs in search of a second belt. Therefore, ‘Team Khabib’ is expected to keep a close eye on UFC 315’s headliner between Jack Della Maddalena and Belal Muhammad. If the Aussie can break the Palestinian-American, we may very well see the Dagestani go for the 170lbs title. But these are speculations, and nothing has been made official till now!

However, it seems that a breakthrough may be forthcoming soon, as it turns out that Dana White has sent his right-hand man, UFC matchmaker, Hunter Campbell, to Dagestan to meet with Islam, Khabib, and their management team.

“Short trip, but long day for our guest Hunter in Dagestan: Canyon, Mountains, and of course Papakha Coffee. It was great to see and host you here, brother! ⛰️,” Makhachev’s manager, Rizvan Magomedov, wrote on Instagram along with a picture of him, Hunter, and Makhachev in Dagestan.

We do not know the exact reason for campbell’s visit to Dagestan, nor what he discussed with Makhachev and Co. But one strongly suspects the Topuria fight may have come up. The Georgian-Spaniard has revealed that he is already in camp and claimed that he will be fighting for the lightweight title at UFC 317 in late June. But it seems Makhachev has still not officially agreed to the fight, hence the matchmaker’s personal visit to Dagestan.

But then again, there are a lot of uncertainties still about whether or not Islam Makhachev will remain at lightweight at all, or if he plans on moving up and fighting for a second title in his next fight.

Belal Muhammad wants Islam Makhachev to focus on defending the lightweight title

“Get your fight signed, I’m not leaving Montreal without the belt. Start your camp right now. Whoever you have in line, you’re good,” welterweight champion Belal Muhammad said, addressing Islam Makhachev on the ‘Anik and Florian’ podcast.

As already mentioned, the Dagestani is waiting for the result of the Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena UFC 315 welterweight title clash on May 10 to plan his next move. The Makhachkala native has long wanted to be a two-division champ. But since the reigning 170-pound king, Muhammad, is his friend, Makhachev is expected to move up and fight for the title if ‘Bully B’ loses the title to the Aussie challenger.

So it looks like Makhachev will move up if Muhammad loses. But what if he doesn’t? What if ‘Bully B’ wins? Well, then Makhachev will have no choice but to defend his lightweight title for a record-breaking fifth time. And maybe Hunter Campbell is in Dagestan to convince Makhachev to make that title defense against Ilia Topuria.

Did he succeed? We don’t know at the moment. But with UFC 315 just a few days away, it doesn’t look like we will have to wait very long before we find out. What do you think about Hunter Campbell visiting Islam Makhachev in Dagestan?