Ilia Topuria hopes to be fighting UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev sometime soon and “El Matador” is confident he’d find a way to finish the pound-for-pound king.
Given the massive success Topuria has had as UFC’s undisputed featherweight champion, it’s only natural to discuss a potential move up to 155 pounds. After all, Topuria is coming off back-to-back knockout wins over UFC featherweight legends, Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, and is running out of deserving title contenders at 145 pounds. Topuria has also looked completely dominant in victory which has fight fans wanting more.
Nowadays, that means an opportunity to become a two-division UFC champion.
Makhachev hasn’t shown much interest in a potential fight with an out-of-shape Topuria, but it may be an inevitable matchup considering Makhachev is running out of new lightweight title challengers. Topuria does fit the mold as a 155-pound fighter and certainly has the skill set to give Makahchev a run for his money.
In fact, Topuria believes it would only be a matter of time during the fight before he lands a knockout blow and puts the champion away. The featherweight king is also standing on his belief that he could submit Makhachev if the fight hit the ground. Check out Topuria’s recent comments below (via Full Send MMA) and let us know your thoughts on the potential lightweight superfight!
“We all know at some point I WILL connect that punch, everything will depend on what God will decide… if he wants to send Islam to sleep or not”
Ilia Topuria with a CRAZY promo for a potential super fight with Islam Makhachev ? pic.twitter.com/Dg4eN5p5fF
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) February 13, 2025
“We all know at some point I will connect that punch, everything will depend on what God will decide… if he wants to send Islam to sleep or not. Who knows that. I know that.
“I can also submit him.”