By FCF Staff

Islam Makhachev no longer holds the UFC’s lightweight championship. But, according to his longtime teammate, Umar Nurmagomedov, the renowned fighter plans to return to 155 pounds and regain the title.

Recently, it was announced that Makhachev has vacated the lightweight belt to pursue the welterweight championship. For months, the Dagestani star was open about the fact he wanted to make a run at welterweight. But, Makhachev also said he didn’t plan to vacate the lightweight title.

Nurmagomedov recently sat down with Adam Zubayraev. The bantamweight contender discussed the negotiations that transpired between the UFC and Makhachev, which ultimately saw the latter vacate the lightweight crown (quotes via MMA Fighting.com).

“[Hunter Campbell] flew out, and honestly, I don’t even know if I’m allowed to say this, but they wanted Islam to move up. They want to make Topuria the champ at 155. Not because Islam wants to move up but because they want him to be the champ there. They believe he can really sell fights.”

“He doesn’t want to [give up his belt]. He has no plans to vacate it,” Nurmagomedov also reportedly noted in the interview, while referring to Makhachev. “He still wants to fight at 155, too.”

As this post is being written, there is no official word as to when Makhachev will challenge the new welterweight champ, Jack Della Maddalena.

Della Maddalena defeated Makhachev’s training partner Belal Muhammad in May to win the belt, clearing the path for Makhachev’s run at welterweight.