Dana White set the MMA world abuzz late last year when he teased a major development for 2025, saying, “I anticipate a lot of big fights. I’ve got something in the works right now that will drive you f–s crazy… something you will never f—-ing see coming.” Yet, as we reach mid-February, the mystery remains unsolved. Was he hinting at Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return, or is the UFC preparing to book a high-stakes lightweight clash between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev?
For months, speculation ran wild. However, recent comments from Islam Makhachev may have finally provided a clue. Speaking to Match TV, the reigning 155lbs champion revealed that the UFC has made him multiple offers—though his team has yet to finalize a decision. “I can’t announce it yet, but there is an offer that we need to sit down with the team and think about because there are options,” the Dagestani native said. “There is an option in my weight class, and there is an offer from the UFC. But let’s wait for now.”
With this revelation, it seems Ilia Topuria is no longer in Makhachev’s immediate title plans. After all, the lightweight champion is unlikely to cut down to 145 lbs, given his well-documented struggles making weight even at 155 lbs. Instead, his path to a second—or even third—title appears to lie at welterweight or potentially middleweight. However, this ambitious pursuit raises an important question:
Who will the Dagestani champion face next? Could it be Dan Hooker, Charles Oliveira—who has already expressed interest in a rematch—or former featherweight champion Max Holloway? Adding to the intrigue, people have thrown other names into the mix, including Justin Gaethje and Beneil Dariush.
The speculation comes from none other than their shared manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who took to social media last month to hint at Gaethje’s upcoming fight at UFC 313 against Dan Hooker. He also revealed that another key lightweight bout—Dustin Poirier vs. Beneil Dariush—is in the works. If both Gaethje and Dariush secure victories, they could emerge as legitimate contenders for Makhachev, as neither has faced him before.
Notably, ‘Blessed’, who has frequently jumped between featherweight and lightweight, delivered a show-stopping performance at UFC 300 in the 155-pound division. However, after falling short in his featherweight title fight against Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 last October, he decided to commit fully to lightweight, declaring, “Here we come, and 155 is where I want to stay.” His move was largely driven by ongoing weight-cutting struggles, ultimately forcing him to leave the featherweight division behind. With his sights now set on the lightweight ranks, how does Max Holloway feel about a potential showdown with Islam Makhachev?
What’s Max Holloway’s stance on a potential title fight against Islam Makhachev?
Max Holloway has spent over a decade competing in the UFC across the featherweight and lightweight divisions, but one lingering regret remains—never getting the chance to face UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov. The two were scheduled to clash at the historic UFC 223 after Tony Ferguson withdrew due to injury. Originally, ‘The Eagle’ was to face Ferguson, but Conor McGregor’s infamous bus attack caused last-minute chaos. ‘Blessed’ stepped in on short notice, only for the athletic commission to deny him medical clearance due to health concerns.
Years later, Khabib has retired, but his protege, Islam Makhachev—often called “Khabib 2.0”—now reigns as the UFC lightweight champion. Max Holloway has expressed his desire to test himself against Makhachev’s dominant Dagestani wrestling and carve his place in MMA history.
Ahead of UFC 308 last year, while speaking to the media, Max Holloway shared his ambition to face Islam Makhachev. In an interview on Demetrious Johnson’s YouTube channel, he said: “I want to get my face etched on the MMA Mount Rushmore next to your face, brother. And the things you’ve got to do to get there, you’ve got to do great things. Like you said, we had that fight booked with Khabib a while back, and they call Islam ‘Khabib 2.0.’ So I want all the smoke. It’d be an honor to fight that guy and try to etch my name into the history books.”
What do you make of the recent buzz surrounding Islam Makhachev? Who do you think Dana White and the UFC will choose as his next challenger for the lightweight title? Share your thoughts below!
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