Makhachev drops UFC belt; Topuria-Oliveira set

Ilia Topuria's archetypal quality arsenic a UFC lightweight volition beryllium for a championship, but it volition not beryllium against Islam Makhachev.

UFC CEO Dana White announced connected Tuesday that Topuria (16-0) volition look erstwhile champion Charles Oliveira (35-10) for the vacant 155-pound rubric astatine UFC 317 connected June 29 successful Las Vegas. Makhachev (27-1) the four-time defending champion volition vacate the loop successful bid to determination up to welterweight to look recently crowned Jack Della Maddalena for a 2nd loop astatine a aboriginal date.

"On June 29, different imagination volition travel true," Topuria wrote connected societal media. "I'll beryllium the champion of the lightweight division. Charles, my apologies successful advance. I'm conscionable warring for my dreams. It's unfortunate that Makhachev ran away."

Additionally, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (29-5) volition support his rubric against Kai Kara-France (25-11) successful the co-main lawsuit of UFC 317, which volition instrumentality spot astatine T-Mobile Arena.

Topuria, of Spain, vacated his 145-pound rubric aft 1 defence earlier this year. His 2 145-pound rubric fights came against 2 of the champion all-time, successful Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. He knocked retired some successful 2024 and decided to determination up to 155 pounds.

Oliveira, of Brazil, has been waiting for a accidental to reclaim the loop helium surrendered to Makhachev successful 2022. He is coming disconnected a determination triumph against Michael Chandler successful November.

Makhachev is ranked the No. 1 pound-for-pound combatant successful the satellite by ESPN, portion Topuria is ranked No. 2.