After successfully defending his belt against Renato Moicano at UFC 311, Islam Makhachev has some opponent options for his next engagement in the biggest MMA promotion in the world. Among them are Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, and Ilia Topuria. However, the lightweight champion is not interested in facing either of them. Instead, he is eyeing a move to the middleweight ranks despite stern warnings from the division’s kingpin, Dricus Du Plessis.

Just a day or two ago, during an interview with FOX Sports Australia, the middleweight champion warned Makhachev that his size advantage would surely make him the one who wins the fight if they square off. Just as Makhachev walks heavy for a lightweight, Du Plessis is quite huge for a middleweight as well. However, it seems like the Russian simply does not care about the differences.

In an interview with Ushatayka, the 33-year-old revealed his key to victory while explaining why he can find success if he moves up to the new division. He said, “My height allows (a move to middleweight). I think my physical data allow it too. I just need to work with my specialists, gain muscle mass, add a little weight. I think I can try. As I already said at the press conference after the fight, if they offered it to me tomorrow and said they will give me time, I would not turn it down.”

He further added, “I would 100 percent agree to fight at middleweight. I’m not saying that I have a better chance, that I can 100 percent finish Du Plessis, but watching his fights, watching his style, I think I have the keys to victory.” Well, it looks like the lightweight is all geared up for a new challenge. Even his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, revealed that a new challenge excites the Russian fighter more than defending his lightweight throne for the fifth time.

Islam Makhachev’s manager rules out Oliveira, Tsarukyan, and Topuria as next in line

Contrary to popular belief, Islam Makhachev‘s next UFC opponent would not be Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, or Ilia Topuria. At least that’s what Ali Abdelaziz, the UFC lightweight champion’s manager, says. In his official ‘X’ profile, Abdelaziz disputed that anyone from the trio of Do Bronx, Tsarukyan, and Ilia Topuria has a chance of being Makhachev’s next opponent. The manager also indicated that the UFC has a specific plan for the lightweight champion’s future but did not go into detail about it. He tweeted, “The UFC has a completely different plan for Islam which doesn’t include Oliveira, Arman or Ilias. But it’s an unpredictable sport and you don’t know what could happen.”

According to Dana White, Arman Tsarukyan has lost his place at the top of the race for the next title chance after withdrawing from UFC 311 at the eleventh minute. Charles Oliveira, the fighter from the favelas, faced an identical situation to Arman Tsarukyan in 2023, when he had to cancel his rematch against Makhachev on the eve of the bout, missing out on the opportunity to get back at the Russian after his defeat against Makhachev in their first duel.

After defeating Michael Chandler, Oliveira can once again be regarded as a viable contender for the crown. Finally, Ilia Topuria may be able to skip the line of lightweight fighters and face the Russian star in a clash of champions. The Georgian, who now holds the featherweight championship, has expressed an interest in climbing up the ranks and contending for a second UFC title. But what do you think? Who should be Islam Makhachev’s next opponent? Will it be Dricus Du Plessis? Let us know in the comments.