Islam Makhachev mocks Ilia Topuria after Gaethje TKO loss

Islam Makhachev took a shot at Ilia Topuria following the former featherweight champion's TKO loss to Justin Gaethje on Saturday.

The UFC lightweight champion posted on social media congratulating Gaethje on his victory while suggesting Topuria folded under pressure. "There's levels in this game!" Makhachev wrote, per Sherdog. "Congratulations Justin, you deserve this belt more than anyone!"

Makhachev questions Topuria's willingness to fight

Makhachev went further in his assessment of the stoppage, writing that "to quit in the biggest fight of your career is something not everybody can do," before adding a tongue-in-cheek remark calling Topuria a "real legend."

The jab comes after months of back-and-forth between the two champions on social media. Topuria had called out both lightweight and welterweight titleholders in recent interviews before suffering his first professional defeat.

Gaethje claimed the featherweight strap after landing a series of standing elbows in the fourth round that forced referee intervention. Topuria protested the stoppage immediately.

Source: sherdog.com