Ilia Topuria went off on Islam Makhachev for moving up to welterweight instead of fighting him. Before Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) vacated his UFC lightweight title, he dismissed ex-featherweight champ Topuria (16-0 MMA,

As such, Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes clashed over the vacant 145lb title in April, with former champion Volk – whom Topuria dethroned last year – reclaiming his throne. Now, it is Makhachev’s vacant title that is up for grabs as Topuria faces Oliveira.

UFC 317 is set, but questions remain about what could've been if matchmakers had made some different calls for both Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev.