The heated rivalry between UFC champions Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria has escalated, with Makhachev making some bold statements about the featherweight king. Following Topuria’s claim of being the best fighter on the roster, Makhachev didn’t hold back, throwing serious shade at the undefeated champion.
During a recent interview with Match TV, Makhachev was asked about Topuria’s confident remarks, where he stated that he could defeat anyone, including Makhachev. The lightweight champ wasn’t impressed and responded quickly.
Makhachev Throws Shade at Topuria’s Confidence
“He thinks this to himself, but no one else talks about it,” Makhachev said, dismissing Topuria’s self-assuredness. However, Makhachev also revealed that he’s warming up to the idea of a champion vs champion clash. Still, he’s not sold on Topuria’s readiness for such a fight.
The Dagestani powerhouse didn’t stop with just the words. He took aim at Topuria’s weight-cutting difficulties, adding fuel to the fire. “I heard he has problems cutting weight,” Makhachev explained. “That he can no longer fit into the limit of his weight class. He’s probably already gained fat from the good life, and he already wants to leave the belt and move up.” Makhachev believes Topuria might be struggling with his weight management, something that could be a factor in his potential move to 155lbs.
🗣️ Islam Makhachev on Ilia Topuria:
“I heard [Ilia] has problems cutting weight… he’s probably already gained fat from the good life…
Let him move up, and when he earns his chance we will definitely fight.”
🎥 @MatchTV #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/7RjHW94szK
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 14, 2025
Makhachev Challenges Topuria’s Readiness
Makhachev wasn’t finished, however. “But, I’m not going to give him the chance right away, because he hasn’t done all the work in his own weight class,” he continued, calling out Topuria for not fully proving himself at featherweight. For Makhachev, the fight won’t happen until Topuria takes care of business in his current division.
“He only has one defense. He has other contenders he should have beaten, but he doesn’t want to cut weight anymore,” Makhachev pointed out. “So let him move up, and when he earns his chance, we will definitely fight.” Makhachev made it clear that he doesn’t want to give Topuria an easy path to the lightweight title, emphasizing that the featherweight champ needs to earn his shot first.
With this fiery back-and-forth, the future of a potential showdown between the two champions remains uncertain. But one thing is clear, Makhachev isn’t willing to give Topuria an easy way out, and he expects the featherweight champ to earn his shot at 155lbs before stepping into the Octagon with him.
