

Islam Makhachev commented on a potential fight with Ilia Topuria, the lightweight champion commented on the featherweight division champion’s words.
Islam Makhachev is a UFC lightweight champion. The strong wrestler, who has recently been impressing with his progression in stand-up, spoke about a potential skirmish with Ilia Topuria, the featherweight category champion.
The Georgian, who is stationed in Spain, has been biting Makhachev’s media every now and then, suggesting that he will move to the lightweight category in the near future to take the title away from Islam. Now Makhachev has addressed Topuria’s statements during an interview with matchtv channel reporters.
– We can talk about it. He talks about me all the time, probably wants to tell me something, but I don’t really understand him. We can talk about it in person. He fights in a different weight category, a lower one.
Islam Makhachev made it clear that the win over Ilia Topuria does not give him anything. The Dagestanian pointed out that such a triumph would not involve winning another belt, and above that there would be criticism that he had fought a fighter from a lower weight category.
– If I beat him, what good will it do me? I won’t win the championship belt. Everyone will say that I beat a fighter from a lower division. That’s it. However, if people want to see him lose then we can do it.
Islam Makhachev is set to return to the UFC octagon as early as January 18, 2025 at UFC 311 in Los Angeles. The Dagestanian will defend his championship belt in a rematch bout with Arman Tsarukyan.