UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Thursday that the winner of the welterweight fight between champion Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena on Saturday at UFC 315 will determine Ilia Topuria's next opponent.

White said that if Muhammad beats Della Maddalena, Topuria is expected to fight UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev next, according to Ariel Helwani of Uncrowned. However, if Della Maddalena wins this week, Topuria will face top lightweight contender Charles Oliveira instead.

Topuria, who holds an 8-0 UFC record, vacated the featherweight title in February to move up to the lightweight division for his next fight, which has yet to be officially announced. It's expected to take place June 28 at UFC 317 during International Fight Week.

Makhachev, the UFC's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, most recently submitted Renato Moicano in Round 1 at UFC 311 in January to defend his belt. Makhachev, who's close friends with Muhammad, has said he wants to move up to welterweight, and he'd likely challenge Della Maddalena if the latter upsets Muhammad, according to Alexander K. Lee of MMA Fighting.

Muhammad has also said he'll never fight Makhachev because they've trained together in the past.