On May 1, 2025, UFC commentator Daniel Cormier voiced frustration over suggestions to strip lightweight champion Islam Makhachev of his title for reluctance to fight featherweight star Ilia Topuria. Speaking on the “Good Guy/Bad Guy” podcast with Chael Sonnen, Cormier pointed out apparent double standards, noting heavyweight champion Jon Jones faces no similar pressure despite infrequent defenses. Makhachev’s hesitation stems from his prior victories over featherweight Alexander Volkanovski, preferring fresh challenges.
Makhachev, holding a 27-1 record, has defended his lightweight belt four times since October 2022, defeating Volkanovski in February and October 2023, Dustin Poirier in June 2024, and Renato Moicano in January 2025. In contrast, Jones captured the heavyweight title in March 2023 against Ciryl Gane and fought once more, beating Stipe Miocic in November 2024, a 20-month gap. He has yet to face interim champion Tom Aspinall, sparking fan criticism on X without official stripping threats.
Topuria, 16-0, relinquished his featherweight title in February 2025 to chase the lightweight belt, claiming UFC backing for a Makhachev fight. His knockouts of Volkanovski and Max Holloway bolster his case, but Makhachev’s stance has drawn scrutiny. Ben Askren argued on his “Funky and the Champ” show that Makhachev should lose his belt if he skips Topuria, while Cormier defends Makhachev’s active record.
Cormier Highlights Unequal Treatment
Cormier questioned the fairness of targeting Makhachev.
“You know what’s annoying to me is Islam Makhachev has said, ‘I don’t want really to fight Ilia Topuria because he’s a ‘45er and I’ve done that. Give me somebody else.’ People are like, ‘Take the belt off of him. He should be stripped,’” he said. “I’ve seen reports, and I don’t even know that they’re true, it’s either strip or defend for Makhachev. Why? In the last two years, he fought Volkanovski, Poirier, Volk again, Moicano. He fought four times in the amount of time that the heavyweight champion fought once.”
Addressing Jones, Cormier added:
“Should he get stripped? I don’t know man. Because if he didn’t get stripped in March 2023 all the way to November of ‘24, why would you do it now? It’s been six months since he fought Miocic at UFC 309. The first time it was 18 months from him winning that belt to him defending that belt, and he did not get stripped. So, why would they strip him today?” via MMAjunkie
X users like @Prodbyrick echoed this, noting Makhachev’s activity versus Jones’ single bout in two years.
Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez, suggested openness to Topuria but prefers Arman Tsarukyan, who withdrew from a January 2025 bout due to injury. Makhachev also considers a welterweight move if Belal Muhammad loses at UFC 315 on May 9, 2025, against Jack Della Maddalena. Topuria might need to face Charles Oliveira to earn his shot, as welterweight champion Muhammad dismissed an immediate title fight.
The debate underscores tensions in UFC’s lightweight and heavyweight divisions. Makhachev’s consistent defenses clash with criticism over opponent choices, while Jones’ delays in facing Aspinall draw complaints but no consequences. With UFC 315 nearing, the lightweight title’s future remains uncertain, as fans debate Makhachev’s next move.
