Islam Makhachev’s manager has a message for the two men set to battle to become his client’s successor.
While Makhachev begins a new chapter in his career outside the lightweight division, his former opponent Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria are preparing to collide.
After both previously targeting a shot against Makhachev, the Brazilian and Spaniard’s opportunity to capture the gold will come when they face each other at UFC 317 on June 28 instead.
The matchup set to conclude the International Fight Week festivities is billed as a battle for the vacant lightweight title, but Makhachev’s manager sees it differently.
Ali Abdelaziz says Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria are fighting for the ‘Burger King belt’ at UFC 317
The always-vocal Ali Abdelaziz recently posted on X seeking to clarify the lightweight title picture.
Though Makhachev will no longer be listed as the top man at 155 pounds, the Dominance MMA Management CEO insists that nothing has changed.
And with his belief that the Dagestani will remain “lightweight champion,” Abdelaziz says Oliveira and Topuria will be fighting for an illegitimate crown at UFC 317.
“I wasn’t really gonna say much but I see people just don’t want to move on,” Abdelaziz wrote.
“[Makhachev] is always gonna be the Lightweight Champion, these two guys who are fighting, they are fighting for the Burger King belt, I wish people would be nice to each other but hey it is what it is.”
Islam Makhachev’s next fight will be for a different UFC title
As Topuria and Oliveira begin their fight camps for UFC 317, Makhachev is soon expected to begin preparations for a title fight of his own.
While announcing that Makhachev will leave the lightweight division, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that the pound-for-pound king will get an immediate shot at the welterweight gold.
That’s currently held by Jack Della Maddalena, whose upset win over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 means he will be the one to welcome Makhachev to 170 pounds.
The Australian will look to exact revenge for Makhachev’s two victories over his fellow countryman and frequent training partner, Alexander Volkanovski.
A date for Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev is yet to be announced, but the latter’s manager has already dismissed talk of it taking place at the UFC’s annual pay-per-view Down Under.