Islam Makhachev is signing up for a superfight. Just not the one many were expecting.
UFC CEO Dana White announced Tuesday that the lightweight champion is vacating his belt to jump up to the 170-pound division to face newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena.
The move was rumored for months, with Makhachev wanting to chase a second title, but not at the expense of close friend Belal Muhammad. That became a non-issue this past Saturday when Muhammad lost the welterweight title to Della Maddalena, clearing the path for Makhachev, who is set to fight Della Maddalena at a date and location still to be determined.
While the matchup could allow for Makhachev to add to his pound-for-pound legacy or for Della…