Ilia Topuria is eagerly anticipating a future showdown with both Islam Makhachev and his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Known as "La Leyenda," Topuria is making the move up to the lightweight division with one goal in mind: capturing the 155-pound title currently held by Makhachev. After holding the featherweight championship, Topuria is set to vacate that belt officially this Saturday, clearing the way for Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes to battle for it in the UFC 314 main event.
While a bout between Topuria and Makhachev hasn’t been confirmed yet, the Spanish-Georgian fighter has repeatedly brought up the potential clash. Speaking on the PBD Podcast, he shared his thoughts on how he matches up with the UFC’s top pound-for-pound talent — and didn’t hesitate to send a message to Khabib as well.
“You ask me, I feel that I have the advantage in everything,” Topuria said. “This is what I truly believe. Me, personally, I would ask him, ‘What’s your favorite submission?’ Whatever, I don’t know, D’Arce choke. I’m going to submit you with that.”
“I take him close to Khabib. I will submit him closer to Khabib. Khabib used to take people on his shoulder, take them down, and talk to Dana. I will do it to Khabib. I will take [Makhachev] and then talk to Khabib. Khabib, I have to do it.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov has expressed that he’d like to see Ilia Topuria prove himself in the lightweight division before getting a title shot against Islam Makhachev. Both fighters boast impressive records: Topuria remains undefeated at 16-0, with his recent knockout victories over MMA icons Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway solidifying his elite status. Makhachev, meanwhile, is riding a 15-fight win streak dating back to 2015, which includes five successful title defenses.
While Topuria has yet to receive confirmation about his lightweight debut, he’s confident that UFC President Dana White won’t require him to compete in a title eliminator first.
“[White] wouldn’t tell me that,” Topuria said. “He would say for the belt.”
“There’s no way I have to fight to the No. 1 contender,” Topuria continued. “I have to fight directly for the belt. Personally, I don’t know, I hope in summer, maybe in September.”
Topuria isn’t bothered by Nurmagomedov questioning whether he deserves a title shot, noting that they’re simply approaching the situation from different perspectives.
“He’s saying that I don’t deserve it, but he’s saying it from a fighter’s perspective,” Topuria said. “As a promoter, it works a little bit different.”
