By the end of this year, Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev could both be two-division UFC champions.
UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev is leaving his division behind and moving up a weight class just like undefeated rival Ilia Topuria did earlier this year when he vacated his featherweight title.
Topuria and Makhachev will look to join an elite few of fighters who have conquered two divisions by capturing a second belt.
Topuria is set to meet Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 317 on June 28th while Makhachev takes on Jack Della Maddalena later this year.
The champions’ decisions to vacate the title came with some criticism such as Chael Sonnen suggesting it was a ‘sign of cowardice’ from Makhachev. A former two-division champion has also weighed in on Topuria and Makhachev moving weight classes, disagreeing with their methods.
Henry Cejudo says Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria should’ve kept titles to become simultaneous two-division champions
There are several two-division champions in UFC history like Georges St-Pierre, BJ Penn and Randy Couture.
Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Henry Cejudo are the only four in UFC history to become two-division champions simultaneously or ‘champ-champs’, some call it.
Cejudo, a former champion at flyweight and bantamweight, says Topuria and Makhachev should have kept their belts to go for double-champ status.
“I don’t think Ilia should ever relinquish that belt,” Cejudo said on The Jaxxon Podcast.
“Hold it, move up, and then that’s when you’re considered a double-champ, a real double-champ.
“Remember, you’re a multi-division champ. But in actuality, to be simultaneous, you’re owning two divisions. There’s something precious about that…”
Henry Cejudo advised Islam Makhachev’s manager against relinquishing title
Prior to Jack Della Maddalena’s title win over Belal Muhammad, Makhachev stated he would go for double-champ status and he would not vacate the title regardless of the result.
Well, Makhachev ultimately did but before doing so, Cejudo told their manager Ali Abdelaziz to not let go of the title like Topuria.
“A couple days ago before Islam decided to relinquish it, I called Ali,” Cejudo said.
“I sent Ali a message. I’m like, hey, Ali. I just wanna let you know this: He should not do it. He should not relinquish that belt, dude. Because there’s something about having that status at 155lbs and 170. Once you win it, then you can let it go.
“There’s only been [four] in history.”
Former unified champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson responded to Cejudo, saying the UFC was ‘trying to put a stop’ to simultaneous two-division champions and that the promotion forced Makhachev and Topuria to vacate their titles.
“I don’t know if that’s [true],” Cejudo replied to Jackson.
“I don’t know if that’s an official rule. But when you’re pound-for-pound, you can do whatever the f— you want…
“I think he’s earned it,” Cejudo said of Makhachev.