Former featherweight champion Ilia Topuri a has been constantly calling out the lightweight champion Islam Makhachev for a title bout. Even though the latter has not shown much interest in the bout, Topuria has not stopped claiming to be the only one who will be able to snatch the title from Makhachev. Recently, former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov explained why Makhachev is least interested in the bout with Topuria, which was met with a reply by Topuria on the social media platform X.
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Arman Tsarukyan is a better competitor for Islam Makhachev then Ilia TopuriaIn an interview with a Russian sports journalist, Adam Zubayraev, Khabib Nurmagomedov opened up on the much-speculated bout between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. Khabib explained the reason behind Makhachev’s lack of interest in entertaining Topuria with a response to the proposed title shot.
“I don’t know what kind of agreements Topuria and UFC had, but from Islam’s side, he already gave two title shots to 145-pound champions. Both times, Islam won. Now a thrid time - Let’s imagine Topuria moves up and gets a title shot right away and Islam beats him. Then Topuria fights again [at lightweight], he loses again. So basically he was a nobody at 155 [pounds]. Because of that, in terms of legacy, for Islam, for his resume, I understand Islam’s risk too. That’s why Islam says, let him fight, let him become a real contender.”
In the same interview, Khabib instead believes that Arman Tsarukyan is a more competitive fixture for Makhachev rather than Topuria.
As a response to this, Topuria recently posted on X stating, “Khabib knows I’m the one to take the belt from Islam. Only reason he doesn’t want Islam to fight me”
This post of the fighter has generated mixed reactions from the fans. One of the users wrote, “Every fighter says they can beat every fighter.”
Another one wrote, “@grok tell Ilia Topuria he is being delusional if he thinks he will beats Islam Makhachev”
“It will be a great fight”
“Get a win in the top 5 at lightweight”
“A storm is brewing at lightweight and it answers to the name Topuria.”
Also read: “I am a fan” - MMA coach Javier Mendez pitches a title shot for Paddy Pimblett while praising him for UFC 314
The war of words seems to be a never-ending one ever since Topuria decided to vacate his featherweight title and move up to the lightweight division. While the fighter aims for a top contender matchup, specifically Makhachev, the response is not satisfactory, and Topuria might have to wait before finally getting a title shot within the lightweight division.
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Arman Tsarukyan is a better competitor for Islam Makhachev then Ilia TopuriaIn an interview with a Russian sports journalist, Adam Zubayraev, Khabib Nurmagomedov opened up on the much-speculated bout between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. Khabib explained the reason behind Makhachev’s lack of interest in entertaining Topuria with a response to the proposed title shot.
“I don’t know what kind of agreements Topuria and UFC had, but from Islam’s side, he already gave two title shots to 145-pound champions. Both times, Islam won. Now a thrid time - Let’s imagine Topuria moves up and gets a title shot right away and Islam beats him. Then Topuria fights again [at lightweight], he loses again. So basically he was a nobody at 155 [pounds]. Because of that, in terms of legacy, for Islam, for his resume, I understand Islam’s risk too. That’s why Islam says, let him fight, let him become a real contender.”
In the same interview, Khabib instead believes that Arman Tsarukyan is a more competitive fixture for Makhachev rather than Topuria.
As a response to this, Topuria recently posted on X stating, “Khabib knows I’m the one to take the belt from Islam. Only reason he doesn’t want Islam to fight me”
Khabib knows I’m the one to take the belt from Islam. Only reason he doesn’t want Islam to fight me
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) April 16, 2025
This post of the fighter has generated mixed reactions from the fans. One of the users wrote, “Every fighter says they can beat every fighter.”
Every fighter says they can beat every fighter.
— Jason (@Jason2K14) April 16, 2025
Another one wrote, “@grok tell Ilia Topuria he is being delusional if he thinks he will beats Islam Makhachev”
@grok tell Ilia Topuria he is being delusional if he thinks he will beats Islam Makhachev
— David B (@IamKingD10) April 16, 2025
“It will be a great fight”
It will be a great fight
— Nyelix (@nyelix) April 16, 2025
“Get a win in the top 5 at lightweight”
Get a win in the top 5 at lightweight
— Dyl (@liltestmoretren) April 16, 2025
“A storm is brewing at lightweight and it answers to the name Topuria.”
A storm is brewing at lightweight 👊and it answers to the name Topuria.
— SportsMaverick (@SportsMaverickX) April 16, 2025
Also read: “I am a fan” - MMA coach Javier Mendez pitches a title shot for Paddy Pimblett while praising him for UFC 314
The war of words seems to be a never-ending one ever since Topuria decided to vacate his featherweight title and move up to the lightweight division. While the fighter aims for a top contender matchup, specifically Makhachev, the response is not satisfactory, and Topuria might have to wait before finally getting a title shot within the lightweight division.
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