Islam Makhachev’s supervisor doesn’t appear to be a fan of a possible bout with former UFC champion Ilia Topuria.
The UFC light-weight champion is recent off his return to the cage final month in Los Angeles. There, Islam Makhachev met a short-notice alternative, Renato Moicano. Whereas he was initially set to face Arman Tsarukyan in the principle occasion of UFC 311, an damage compelled him out. Consequently, Makhachev handed the short-notice ‘Cash Moicano’ a first-round submission loss.
Following that win, Islam Makhachev seems to be set for a struggle with Ilia Topuria. Earlier this week, ‘El Matador’ vacated his UFC featherweight title, setting the stage for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes in Could. Whereas Dana White didn’t affirm that Topuria would face Makhachev subsequent, that’s clearly the aim.
Stories have emerged about Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria probably happening in the summertime, probably in June for Worldwide Combat Week. Nonetheless, it appears the UFC light-weight champion’s supervisor isn’t in favor of the bout. Taking to X earlier in the present day, Rizvan Magomedov made a put up calling for Topuria to show he’s a “legit light-weight”.
RELATED: PATRICIO PITBULL SENDS MESSAGE TO FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION AFTER JOINING THE UFC: “YOUR FUTURE KING HAS ARRIVED!”
Topuria vs Dustin/Charles contender struggle, to show he’s legit light-weight. So we don’t must defeat one other ‘small featherweight’ We want massive struggle that make sense for everybody.
We already gave possibilities to featherweight champ that was reigning for very long time.
— Rizvan Magomedov (@Rizvan_RM) February 20, 2025
Supervisor of UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev downplays Ilia Topuria bout
Magomedov wrote that Ilia Topuria ought to as a substitute face a high light-weight contender, reminiscent of Dustin Poirier or Charles Oliveira subsequent. The supervisor causes that Islam Makhachev has already confronted the earlier featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski. The Russian famously met ‘The Nice’ on two events in 2023.
Their first bout at UFC 284 in February 2023 was arguably the perfect struggle of the 12 months. Volkanovski dropped Islam Makhachev within the closing seconds of spherical 5, however that wasn’t sufficient to earn a call win. In a short-notice rematch later within the 12 months, the light-weight scored a surprising first-round knockout victory.
It appears these two bouts with the ex-featherweight champion are sufficient for Islam Makhachev proper now. As of now, Ilia Topuria hasn’t responded to the UFC light-weight’s supervisor, however it could not matter. If Dana White actually needs to e book the bout, it’ll probably occur.
What do you make of those feedback from the UFC light-weight champion’s supervisor? Do you need to see Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria?