Dana White reacts to UFC champion Islam Makhachev contemplating middleweight move

Dana White isn’t sure about UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev jumping two weight classes.

Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is eager to become a two-weight UFC champion, but standing in the way of his goal is his good friend and training partner, welterweight champion Belal Muhammad.

Makhachev and his team would rather not fight Muhammad, which is why he discussed the possibility of jumping to middleweight to challenge champion Dricus Du Plessis. UFC CEO White doesn’t appear keen about the potential idea.

“He would move up to middleweight? Yeah, I don’t know about that,” White said Thursday at the Power Slap 11 post-match news conference. “Listen, if he wants to move up to 170 (pounds), we can talk. But moving up to 185 is a whole other level.”

Makhachev is fresh off a UFC record fourth title defense when he submitted Renato Moicano at UFC 311 earlier this month. Makhachev was originally scheduled to face Arman Tsarukyan, but after Tsarukyan withdrew due to a back injury just one day before the fight, White said he has to climb his way back to a title opportunity.

When asked what’s next for Makhachev, White insisted it’s not Tsarukyan, but teased that something could be in the works.

“I know there’s a lot of conspiracy theories out there about this. You’ll just have to watch and see how this plays out,” White said.