Akhmadaliev (14-1, 11 KO) has long been seen as one of Inoue's most intriguing challengers and has been in line as Inoue's lone available mandatory challenger via the WBA. Some of Akhmadaliev's momentum was halted in April 2023, when he lost a split decision to Marlon Tapales, losing the WBA and IBF junior featherweight titles in the process.