Ilia Topuria acknowledges the massive appeal of a potential superfight with Islam Makhachev, but he’s not convinced it’s the smartest move from a business standpoint.
With both fighters having made history over the past year by becoming champions in a second weight class, the matchup has naturally emerged as one of the most intriguing possibilities in the UFC. Former featherweight champion Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), who knocked out Charles Oliveira last year to lay claim to Makhachev’s old lightweight belt, has even expressed willingness to continue climbing in order to finally land the opportunity of facing Makhachev at 170 pounds.
Still, when asked to think like a promoter rather than a competitor, Topuria offered a more cautious perspective on making the fight happen right now.
“I don't know, honestly,” Topuria said in an interview with Alvaro Colmenero this week. “I think if I were a promoter, if I prioritized the business, I don't know if it's a good idea to put the two of us against each other at our peak.”
Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) has been one of the UFC’s most dominant champions in recent years and represents a major draw, particularly across the Middle East. Topuria recognizes that a clash between two fighters at the height of their powers carries both upside and risk.
“I've just moved up a division, and he has too,” Topuria continued. “We both have our fan base, so killing Islam in this case, you're killing a Middle Eastern star. Then what's left? It's a bit complicated.”
