A potential clash between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria has captured the attention of the MMA world. UFC president Dana White confirmed the matchup remains a possibility, although only Makhachev has a scheduled fight at UFC 322 this weekend against Jack Della Maddalena. Topuria, the reigning lightweight champion, currently has no confirmed bouts for the remainder of the year.
Dana White Confirms the Matchup
White addressed the potential superfight during an interview with Nick Turturro, confirming both fighters are interested in the bout:
“Yeah, that could happen too,” White said. “I think everyone wants to see that fight,” he added.
While no date or event has been announced, White’s comments suggest the UFC is actively considering the matchup for the future.
Dana White says Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev could happen 👀
“[Ilia vs Islam] can happen too. I think everyone wants to see that fight, including Topuria and Islam.”
(via Prince St. Pizza) pic.twitter.com/kUL3n0WdBp
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 11, 2025
Islam Makhachev is the former UFC lightweight champion who has dominated the division in recent years. He is scheduled to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title at UFC 322, aiming to capture a second championship in a higher weight class.
Ilia Topuria became the lightweight champion after knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 earlier this year. Despite his rise, he does not have a scheduled fight at the moment, leaving the possibility of facing Makhachev open once he defends his belt.
Former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, a longtime mentor to Makhachev, emphasized the significance of the potential matchup:
“I think right now, yeah: (Ilia) Topuria and Islam (Makhachev) is the biggest fight,” Nurmagomedov said.
“Not Jon Jones and (Alex) Pereira. It’s [Jones vs. Pereira] still a big fight, but not on that level [of Makhachev vs. Topuria].”
