Dustin Poirier praises Ilia Topuria after his stunning knockout over Charles Oliveira but he still warns him about jumping all the way to welterweight to go after somebody like Islam Makhachev

Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) relinquished his UFC lightweight title for a move up to 170 pounds. He is expected to challenge Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who dethroned Belal Muhammad to claim the welterweight title at UFC 315.

💎💪 Islam Makhachev says Dustin Poirier is "My guy" and he will be rooting for him this Saturday. "Don't let Holloway to dictate the pace. He's one of the best once he finds his distance." 🎥 Okko MMA pic.twitter.com/RlrLv9FNf4

Former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has the perfect battleground to begin his welterweight campaign. Makhachev, who vacated the 155-pound title in preparation to hunt welterweight champ Jack Della Maddalena, plans to win his second title this year.

For the first time since giving up UFC lightweight gold, Islam Makhachev speaks at length about his move to welterweight and why it's happening now.

Jack Della Maddalena is fully confident he will beat Islam Makhachev when they end up fighting as he says the size will be the difference.

Standing in Makhachev's pursuit of a second UFC belt is Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who outstruck Belal Muhammad to claim the welterweight title at UFC 315 last month. Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) acknowledges the Aussie has shown vast improvements in his game.

“Send him 2-3 years Dagestan and forget,” became a viral quote from Islam Makhachev, symbolizing the region’s tough training culture. Now, after getting a firsthand experience by training with Makhachev, former UFC champion Demetrious Johnson seems ...