Islam Makhachev has been accused of ducking Ilia Topuria, but is that claim justified? Makhachev is the current UFC Lightweight Champion, who defended his belt in his last fight after submitting Renato Moicano at UFC 311.

UFC titles have changed hands recently, but what does it mean for the divisions when champions keep leaving without losing their belts?

Sonnen, who was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's Fight Wing for his war with Anderson Silva at UFC 117, was among the vocal parties who believed Makhachev had more to do in the lightweight division. In fact, he categorized the shift as a "sign of cowardice."

Rodriguez returned to the win column at UFC 314, the same night Volkanovski reclaimed the vacant title against Diego Lopes. ‘El Pantera’ defeated former two-division Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull by decision to rebound from back-to-back stoppage losses to Volkanovski and Brian Ortega.

Can he keep it going against Makhachev? -- Okamoto Other fighters receiving votes: Francis Ngannou, Alexander Volkanovski and Khamzat Chimaev. Brett Okamoto: 1. Islam Makhachev; 2. Ilia Topuria ...

Paddy Pimblett criticizes the UFC for stripping Islam Makhachev but not Jon Jones, highlighting inconsistency in title decisions.

Instead, it seems likely that Yair Rodriguez will face the new champion in a rematch following his bounce back win over Patricio Pitbull which also took place in Miami last month. The Russian’s manager recently spoke about the current title picture at 145-pounds where he revealed Evloev’s next steps before the fighter himself spoke on the matter.

Islam Makhachev has a new hobby, but his mentor and fellow UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t approve.

After dominating most elite lightweight contenders, Islam Makhachev is now eyeing greater glory by moving up to the welterweight division. The post Islam Makhachev’s Toughest Opponent Roped in to Destroy Welterweight Championship Dreams appeared first on FirstSportz.