Islam Makhachev holds the welterweight title after capturing it with a dominant performance over Jack Della Maddalena in late 2025, and his elite grappling and striking have translated seamlessly to 170 pounds. The division’s depth features rising contenders like Carlos Prates, Ian Machado Garry, and undefeated Michael Morales, each posting statement wins against established names such as Leon Edwards and Sean Brady in recent months. Shavkat Rakhmonov remains sidelined by injury, while veterans like Kamaru Usman and Belal Muhammad sit further down the rankings. Trader consensus reflects Makhachev’s strong track record of title defenses and the challenges any challenger faces in dethroning him over the next 18 months.