UFC CEO Dana White has sent shockwaves through the MMA community with a major update on Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev’s next fight, hinting at a potential title shakeup that could see Makhachev stripped of his belt. The announcement, made during a press conference following UFC Kansas City on April 26, comes amid ongoing speculation about Makhachev’s reluctance to face Ilia Topuria and rumors of a $55 million demand to make the fight happen, as exposed by Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience on April 30.

White’s Cryptic Update Sparks Title Drama

Dana White’s comments about Makhachev’s next fight have left fans and analysts buzzing. When pressed about the long-awaited Makhachev vs. Topuria matchup at UFC 317 on June 28, White offered a cryptic six-word response: “We’ll see how it plays out.” This vague statement, reported by ProFootballNetwork, has fueled speculation that Makhachev may be on the verge of losing his lightweight title, either by choice or by force. White’s refusal to confirm the fight, despite Topuria’s public announcement of his training camp on April 22—“the camp has begun”—suggests that the UFC may be considering drastic measures to resolve the lightweight division’s logjam.

Rumors of Makhachev being stripped of his title have been circulating since April 23, when posts on X claimed that the UFC was prepared to take action if Makhachev refused to fight Topuria. Some sources even suggested that Topuria could face Charles Oliveira for a vacant or undisputed lightweight title at UFC 317, a scenario that gained traction after Chael Sonnen reported on April 26 that Makhachev might instead face Justin Gaethje. The idea of stripping Makhachev has divided the MMA community, with UFC veteran Ben Askren telling Bloody Elbow on April 3 that White should “just say, ‘Hey, Islam, if you don’t want to fight, you’re stripped,’” while Daniel Cormier argued that Makhachev has better options than Topuria, citing his previous win over featherweight Alexander Volkanovski as a reason to avoid another “step-down” fight.

Makhachev’s $55 Million Demand: A Sticking Point?

Adding fuel to the fire, Joe Rogan’s recent revelation on The Joe Rogan Experience claimed that Makhachev demanded $55 million to fight Topuria—a figure that dwarfs even Conor McGregor’s highest UFC payouts. Rogan speculated that this exorbitant demand might be a tactic to avoid the dangerous striker, stating, “Maybe he’s looking at Ilia and thinking, ‘This guy could knock me out.’” If true, this financial standoff could force the UFC’s hand, especially given White’s history of taking a hard stance against fighters who refuse to defend their titles. In 2024, White shut down Arman Tsarukyan’s call for an interim lightweight title while Makhachev recovered from a hand injury, telling MMA Junkie, “Islam’s fought so many times and is always willing to jump up and take a fight. So, no, there won’t be an interim title.” But with Makhachev now reportedly healthy and in camp, as noted by Eurosport on April 25, the pressure is on to deliver a fight—or face consequences.

Topuria’s Relentless Pursuit

Ilia Topuria, who vacated his featherweight title at UFC 314 to chase lightweight gold, has made it clear he’s not interested in contender fights. His management told TASS via MMA Mania, “Ilia wants a championship fight. He will not fight for the status of a contender with Tsarukyan or anyone else.” Topuria’s confidence is backed by his knockout victories over Volkanovski and Max Holloway, making him a legitimate threat to Makhachev’s reign. On March 30, Topuria told EssentiallySports during a press conference in Madrid that his next fight “will be for the world title” at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in front of 80,000 fans—a promise he claims the UFC made before he relinquished his belt. However, Joe Rogan expressed doubts on his podcast, saying, “I don’t think it’s going to happen. I wonder what they’re going to do with Topuria,” suggesting a possible matchup with Oliveira instead.

Makhachev’s Options: Fight, Move Up, or Lose the Belt?

Makhachev’s future has been a topic of intense speculation. The lightweight champion has expressed interest in moving up to welterweight to chase a second title, but his training partner Belal Muhammad currently holds the 170-pound belt, creating a potential conflict. White has also teased a “special” fight for Makhachev, telling Sportskeeda on February 2, “You’ll know,” but later dismissed the idea of Makhachev jumping to middleweight to face Dricus du Plessis. With Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Arman Tsarukyan all in the lightweight title picture, as noted by EssentiallySports on March 11, the UFC has multiple options—but Topuria’s star power and undefeated record make him the most marketable challenger.

If Makhachev continues to resist the fight, the UFC may follow through on the rumors of stripping his title. Posts on X from late April suggested that the original plan for UFC 317 involved a middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, but Topuria “stepped in to save the event” after Makhachev’s potential refusal. While Chael Sonnen dismissed the idea of stripping Makhachev on April 26, citing Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy as a protective factor, the mounting pressure from fans and the UFC brass could force a dramatic decision.

What’s Next for the Lightweight Division?

The lightweight division remains in chaos as the UFC navigates Makhachev’s next move. If the title is stripped, Topuria vs. Oliveira for the vacant belt could headline UFC 317, delivering a blockbuster fight that would still satisfy fans. Alternatively, if Makhachev agrees to defend against Topuria, the clash of styles—Topuria’s knockout power against Makhachev’s grappling mastery—could produce one of the most memorable fights of 2025. For now, Dana White’s cryptic update has left more questions than answers, but one thing is certain: the MMA world is on edge, waiting to see if Islam Makhachev will fight, move up, or lose his title in a stunning turn of events.