Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria (Recap Pending)

Image: Новости ННТ / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Islam Makhachev brings a 28-1 record to the cage against undefeated Georgian-Spanish contender Ilia Topuria, who sits at 17-0. The Russian, 34, holds an eight-centimetre height advantage and a decade more experience at the elite level. Topuria, five years younger, moves up in weight and carries the confidence of an unblemished ledger built on seven knockouts and eight submissions.

The fight takes place on Tuesday, 2 June 2026.

Tale of the Tape

Islam Makhachev

Odds: -234 (avg across books)

Record: 28-1-0

KO Wins: 5 (18%)

Age: 34

Height: 5ft10

Nationality: Russia

Weight Class: 170 lbs

Ilia Topuria

Odds: +199 (avg across books)

Record: 17-0-0

KO Wins: 7 (41%)

Age: 29

Height: 5ft7

Reach: 69"

Stance: Orthodox

Nationality: Georgian / Spanish

Weight Class: Bantamweight / featherweight / lightweig

Form & Styles

Makhachev's 13 submission wins point to a grappling-heavy approach that has defined his rise, whilst five knockouts suggest he can finish upright when required. Topuria's split of seven KOs and eight submissions shows dual-threat capability, and his orthodox stance has served him well across multiple weight classes. The height and experience gap may prove telling if Makhachev imposes his game early, though Topuria's youth and zero-loss record suggest a fighter comfortable in deep water.

Prediction

The market backs Islam Makhachev decisively, and the Russian's submission arsenal against a less proven opponent at this weight lends credence to that view. Topuria's unbeaten run and finishing rate make him dangerous, but the size, experience, and grappling pedigree tilt the scales toward Makhachev in a contest that could end on the mat. That said, MMA rewards the unpredictable, and any fight between two accomplished finishers carries inherent variance.

Fight verified via Wikipedia: UFC 317. Date, fighters and matchup details on this page reflect the latest information from the cited source at time of writing.

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