Topuria Eyes A Fight With Makhachev
Ilia Topuria is eying a fight with Islam Makhachev moving forward.
Topuria is coming off a win against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, which made him the UFC Featherweight Champion. The win ended Volkanovski’s four-year run as a champion. The Georgian extended his undefeated record to 7-0. He makes the first defense of his title against the BMF Champion Max Holloway at UFC 308 on October 26.
Islam defended his UFC Lightweight Title in his last fight by submitting Dustin Poirier in the final round. He is expected to defend his belt against Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch of their 2019 clash, which Islam won. Provided Topuria beats Holloway, he is open to moving up to 155 pounds to take on Makhachev. Islam has already beaten Volkanovsksi twice, but Topuria backed himself.
Topuria Reacts
“Why not? I’ve already done it once, I could do it again. The truth is, of course, I do [see myself fighting Islam Makhachev in the future]. He’s a great fighter. Sometimes he talks too much, but sometimes not. But we can always resolve it in the octagon. Not in the streets, because I’ll have to pay for his medical bills [then],” Topuria said
Nevertheless, there are other opportunities available for Topuria. He can take the rematch with Volkanovski, which would still be a mega fight. Reports indicated that the rematch could have happened before the Georgian took the fight with Holloway. There is a narrative to hold that fight in Spain, making it one of the biggest cards in the UFC. Topuria has also been involved in a verbal crossfire with Conor McGregor.
McGregor has not had a UFC fight since losing to Dustin Poirier in 2021 at UFC 264. He broke his leg and suffered the third defeat out of his last four previous fights. He was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29. But The Notorious withdrew after breaking his toe. Dana White has already said that the Irishman will fight next year, but Chandler has moved on as he will rematch Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.
Topuria Vs. Makhachev
There is no guarantee that Chandler will then face McGregor since a victory takes him closer to a title shot with Makhachev. Meanwhile, a defeat could derail the demand to see the McGregor fight. McGregor was very vocal about Topuria during a live stream with the betting company Duelbits. He promised to slap the Georgian’s nose off, stating he would be in Spain for a BKFC event. He called on Topuria to approach him. The Georgian responded, stating that it would be a funeral if he ever saw McGregor.
“I’d gladly plant these knuckles in his brain to see if I could fix it and straighten his nose. He says when we meet – you won’t even look me in the eye…McChicken. On the 12th, he’ll be at an event in Spain while I’m on the frontlines, not as a spectator. I’ll be headlining an event.
“He’s been missing out on big time. So deal with it, McGregor. Conor, I’ll dance on your head. Conor’s problem is I’ll slap these nuts on his forehead, right here, and I’ll warm him up with this. Then I’ll throw him down and stomp on his head. See you around. Let’s hope we don’t run into McGregor here, or there’ll be a funeral,” Topuria said
Topuria has previously said that he is not interested in facing McGregor. A fight would do wonders for his brand. It would certainly earn him the biggest purse of his career and propel his stardom, increasing his crossover appeal.
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