Oliveira's coach on Makhachev's plans: "If he goes up? Then he'll lose the belt, like Topuria."
Islam Makhachev has long flirted with the idea of moving up to welterweight in pursuit of a double belt . However, the fact that the current champion in the division, Belal Muhammad, is his friend has halted his aspirations for the time being. Muhammad will face Jack Della Maddalena on May 11 in his first title defense, and if he loses, Makhachev could take a chance.
In this case, the question remains as to whether the Dagestani will vacate the lightweight belt , as Ilia Topuria did at featherweight, or whether the UFC would allow him to keep the title, as has happened with Alexander Volkanovski and many other champions before him.
For the coach of Charles Oliveira, the former champion and current number two at 155 pounds , there is no doubt. "If Makhachev moves up? Then he loses the belt," Diego Lima said during an interview with MMA Fighting . "Like Topuria. I think the UFC will ask him to choose. If he says, 'I'll fight' [at 170 pounds], then they will have to create an interim . They can't suspend an entire division. Personally, I think it's absurd to suspend an entire division," the Brazilian coach declared.
Charles Oliveira , like Topuria, is waiting for another title shot. All indications are that if Makhachev moves up to welterweight, the Brazilian would challenge "The Legend" for the interim or vacant title .
" When an athlete moves up, he has to either give up his belt or create an interim belt . When a fighter starts taking too long to think about what he's going to do, then it's time to create an interim belt. The division needs to move forward. Fighters fight hard to get the belt , and when they get it, they want to keep it. It shouldn't be this way, my friend," Lima concluded.
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