Makhachev allegedly ascends division to dodge encounter with perceived threat from Topuria, asserting, "I'm a formidable opponent"
In the world of mixed martial arts, few organizations are as synonymous with electrifying fights as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). One highly anticipated matchup that has yet to materialize is between two of the sport's rising stars, Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev.
The potential clash between these two talented fighters has been a topic of discussion among fans and pundits for some time. However, the fight has not taken place, with both fighters now moving in different directions due to strategic and legacy considerations.
According to Makhachev's coach, Javier Mendez, the decision not to fight Topuria was not about weight issues but was driven by Makhachev's ambition to become a two-division champion. Makhachev vacated the lightweight title to pursue the welterweight belt instead. Coach Mendez stated, "No, it’s not a weight issue, it’s a legacy issue. He didn’t want to fight Topuria because the image of him fighting another featherweight wasn’t in it for him, okay? Everything for Topuria and nothing for Islam."
The decision was also influenced by the timing of the welterweight title fight between other contenders. Mendez mentioned that Makhachev wanted to wait to see the outcome of that fight and was ready to take the welterweight title if it opened up, prioritizing a "legacy fight" for himself.
Ilia Topuria, on the other hand, has expressed skepticism about whether the UFC ever seriously intended to book the fight. He stated, "Realistically, from all the conversations I had with the UFC and how the situation has been involved during the whole process, I don’t think that fight is going to happen." Topuria remains open to the matchup but doubts he will be called for it.
Despite the current separation, both Topuria and Makhachev's coach have expressed openness to a potential super fight in the future. Topuria has even playfully suggested he would fight both Makhachev and Paddy Pimblett in the same night if possible.
Makhachev is now focused on the welterweight division, aiming for historic two-division champion status, while Topuria has solidified his place as the lightweight champion after defeating Charles Oliveira. The matchup remains a dream for fans and pundits given both fighters’ elite statuses and dominant runs, but as of now, there are no concrete plans for the fight to happen.
In the meantime, Topuria continues to defend his lightweight throne, confident in his abilities against any opponent. He even claims that Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev's coach, knows he would beat Makhachev. The UFC roster is filled with talented fighters, making it difficult to predict when or if the elusive Topuria vs. Makhachev matchup will finally take place.
Two other matchups that have proven elusive for the UFC are Jon Jones against Tom Aspinall and Ilia Topuria against Islam Makhachev (with Jon Jones having recently retired). Topuria suggests that Makhachev moved up to welterweight to avoid taking a risk against him. He has also accused Makhachev of ducking him. If the fight were to happen, Topuria believes he would put Makhachev to sleep.
As the UFC continues to put on the best fights in the sport, the anticipation for a Topuria vs. Makhachev showdown remains high. Whether it will happen in the near future or not, one thing is certain - both fighters are among the most talented in the sport, and a matchup between them would undoubtedly be a spectacle to behold.
| Fighter | Current Title/Direction | Reason for Avoiding Fight | Openness to Future Fight | |--------------------|------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------| | Islam Makhachev | Welterweight title pursuit | Legacy, two-division ambition | Open, but focused on welterweight | | Ilia Topuria | Lightweight champion | UFC scheduling, Makhachev’s move | Open, but skeptical it will happen |
Fashion aficionados may ponder the potential fashion statement of Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria stepping into the octagon together, given their current dominance in mixed-martial-arts. However, Makhachev's ambition to become a two-division champion has led him to vacate the lightweight title, putting the highly anticipated matchup on hold for now. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria remains open to the prospect of competing against Makhachev in the future, expressing confidence that such a fight would be worth the wait.
