Islam Makhachev Vacates Title, Will Face Jack Della Maddalena at Future Event

Islam Makhachev won’t be a simultaneous two-division champion after all.

UFC CEO Dana White announced on Tuesday that Makhachev will vacate the lightweight crown and face reigning welterweight king Jack Della Maddalena at a future event. The date for that fight was not revealed.

Della Maddalena claimed the welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 this past Saturday. That cleared the way for Makhachev to move up a division, because the Dagestani standout didn’t want to fight for the title if Muhammad — a friend and training partner — still held the belt.

Makhachev has won his last 15 UFC appearances, a streak that includes four successful lightweight title defenses. He last competed at UFC 311, where he scored a first-round submission win over Renato Carneiro.

Della Maddalena has won 18 consecutive professional outings — including his first eight Octagon appearances. The Aussie was able to capitalize on his championship opportunity when Shavkat Rakhmonov was unable to face Muhammad at UFC 315 due to injury.