Islam Makhachev Urged to Vacate UFC Title by Charles Oliveira’s Manager
Charles Oliveira’s manager is advocating for Islam Makhachev to give up his UFC Lightweight Championship if he decides to move up to the welterweight division.
Expressing his interest in challenging for the UFC welterweight title, Makhachev faces a potential roadblock with his training partner Belal Muhammad currently holding the 170-pound championship. Should Muhammad lose his title, Makhachev may consider transitioning to the welterweight ranks.
The question arises: Should Makhachev vacate his lightweight title before making the move to welterweight?
Manager’s Perspective on Makhachev’s Potential Move
In a recent interview with MMAFighting, Charles Oliveira’s manager and trainer Diego Lima shared his thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s aspirations to compete for the welterweight title. Lima believes that if Makhachev decides to pursue this goal, he should relinquish his lightweight belt.
Lima stated, “If Makhachev goes up? Then he loses the belt. It’s like [Ilia] Topuria. I think the UFC will ask him to choose. If he says ‘I’ll fight’ [at 170], then they have to create an interim. I can’t put a whole division on hold. Personally, I think it’s absurd to hold an entire division.”
He emphasized the importance of keeping the division active and moving forward, especially if Makhachev decides to make the move to welterweight.
UFC’s Stance on Title Vacancy and Interim Options
Diego Lima highlighted the necessity for action if Makhachev transitions to welterweight, suggesting that either the lightweight title should be vacated or an interim champion should be appointed. He emphasized the need for the division to progress and not be stalled by indecision.
Lima expressed, “When an athlete goes up, he has to either drop his belt or create an interim. When a fighter starts to take too long thinking what he will do, then it’s time to create an interim. The division must move. Fighters fight a lot to get to the belt, and when they get there, they want to sit on the belt. It shouldn’t be like that, man.”
Uncertainty Surrounding Makhachev’s Next Lightweight Title Defense
As speculation grows about Islam Makhachev’s next move, particularly regarding his lightweight title defense, questions remain unanswered. While Ilia Topuria vacated his 145-pound title to move up, Makhachev has expressed reservations about granting “El Matador” a title shot without facing a top-ranked lightweight first. UFC CEO Dana White has yet to reveal the organization’s plans for the lightweight division.
The ongoing debate surrounding Makhachev’s potential move to welterweight and the implications for the lightweight division continue to captivate MMA fans and analysts alike.
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