Ilia Topuria’s quest to fight Islam Makhachev seems endless. Even before moving up to lightweight, Topuria had drafted the Russian fighter. However, Makhachev moved up to welterweight after his friend and training partner, Belal Muhammad, was dethroned earlier this year.
Most recently, Makhachev scored a dominant victory against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, becoming a two-division champion as well as the pound-for-pound king. Makhachev is looking to defend his welterweight title and has expressed interest in locking horns with Kamaru Usman and has also expressed interest in a superfight with Topuria.
Both Topuria and Makhachev are new champions of two of the most stacked UFC divisions. Therefore, they defend their respective belts once, before moving up or down for the superclash, is what many suggest.
However, Topuria has big plans. In a recent interview with Álvaro Colmenero, ‘El Matador’ said that he expects the UFC to create a pound-for-pound title, and that he could then challenge Makhachev at catchweight:
“Maybe I have one more fight, and then there will be a date in the summer [the UFC] can move me up to welterweight. Or maybe they’ll create a new belt called the pound-for-pound title, with a catchweight, and I’ll fight for it [it].”
Check out Ilia Topuria’s comments below:
Ilia Topuria clash? Islam Makhachev says he is in favor of lightweight, but has certain conditions
Islam Makhachev recently told the press that if he wants to fight Ilia Topuria at lightweight, the UFC will have to come up with a very good deal worth cutting that much weight. The Russian champion said:
“It should be a very good offer for me to go back to 155 [pounds]. Because I’m not young anymore in this sport, and any weight loss takes years off your health. It is not as easy as before to lose weight.”
Watch Islam Makhachev’s comments below:
Topuria, on the other hand, has No. 1 UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan knocking on his door.
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