- Ilia Topuria thinks he could get the better of Khabib Nurmagomedov
- “El Matador” has also called out Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev
Ilia Topuria is very confident about beating Khabib Nurmagomedov if he ever gets the chance to face the UFC legend in a dream fight.
Ilia calls Khabib out
During a recent interview, the reigning UFC featherweight champion discussed his desire to take on Nurmagomedov. As expected, the flamboyant Topuria boasted about being sure that he could defeat the former longtime lightweight champ “100%.”
”I would be happy to enter the octagon with Khabib Nurmagomedov. He had an undefeated record at 29-0 and he had an attractive record for me, then also history. He is a worthy and honorable champion for me,” Topuria said.
“100% [I could beat Khabib],” he pointed out.
Ilia Topuria’s dream fight is against Khabib Nurmagomedov:
“I would be happy to enter the octagon with Khabib Nurmagomedov. He had an undefeated record at 29-0 and he had an attractive record for me, then also history.
He is a worthy and honourable champion for me. [I would… pic.twitter.com/km3NZLwOxA
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 25, 2024
Ilia wants Conor too
Following his stunning KO win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, Topuria shockingly called out former UFC two-division champ Conor McGregor. As it stands, Volkanovski is itching to run it back with “El Matador” but the newly-crowned champ wants to face a fresh opponent. However, Topuria wouldn’t hesitate to take on McGregor if the opportunity knocks.
Apart from Nurmagomedov and McGregor, Topuria also called out reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Nothing has been drewing as of this point but Makhachev already hit back by calling “El Matador” “another short guy wants to be smeshed.”
Topuria has been making waves in the UFC prior to winning the featherweight title. He has been unbeaten in his pro MMA career and is now one of the UFC’s biggest draws.
As for Nurmagomedov, there is still no concrete indication that the Russian MMA legend is planning on making an epic UFC return since officially retiring in 2021.
