Tag: ilia topuria

Newly-crowned featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has continued jabbing at undisputed lightweight titleholder, Islam Makhachev on social media overnight – uploading footage of the Russian’s sole professional defeat back in 2015, where he was stopped in a brutal KO loss to Brazilian veteran, Adriano Martins.

Topuria, the newly-minted undisputed featherweight titleholder, headlined UFC 298 earlier this month, winning the divisional title with a blistering second round win over common-opponent, Alexander Volkanovski.

Improving to 15-0 as a professional, Spanish finisher, Topuria stopped the former pound-for-pound number one with a stunning knockout win at the Octagon fence, and in the time since, has weighed up an immediate lightweight move in pursuit of a second crown, and a fight with current pound-for-pound topper, Makhachev. 

“The final objective is still there,” Ilia Topuria told Spanish media following his title win over the course of last weekend at UFC 298. “He’s (Islam Makhachev) in trouble.”

And appearing in Madrid last night, Topuria attended the Santiago Bernabeu – home to Real Madrid for their La Liga match with Sevilla, bringing the UFC title onto the pitch and taking part in a ceremonial kick-off.

Ilia Topuria continues to pursue Islam Makhachev

With Makhachev on his mind apparently, Topuria mocked the Russian’s 2015 loss to the aforenoted, Martins on his official Instagram Stories – in which the now-champion was dropped and stopped with a knockout loss inside two minutes of their clash. 

Himself sidelined since last October, Makhachev most recently turned in a spectacular rematch with over the above-mentioned, Volkanovski at UFC 294 on short-notice, stopping the New South Wales native with a high-kick and follow up strikes knockout.

And expected to make his return to the Octagon later this annum, Makhachev’s head coach, Javier Mendez has suggested the American Kickboxing Academy staple could take on former interim champion and incoming UFC 300 feature, Justin Gaethje in a title showcase next.

Do you think Ilia Topuria ever takes on Islam Makhachev?

Off the back of his stunning knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski to win the undisputed featherweight crown last weekend at UFC 298, brash Spaniard, Ilia Topuria has vowed to become a two-division champion in the near future, claiming lightweight best, Islam Makhachev is “in trouble” if he shares the Octagon with him.

Topuria, the newly-minted undisputed featherweight champion, turned in his fifteenth straight victory back at UFC 298 over the course of last weekend in Anaheim, retaining his unbeaten professional record with a stunning second round KO win over former pound-for-pound number one, Volkanovski.

And welcoming the possibility of a Spanish homecoming off the back of his title triumph, Alicante resident, Topuria has weighed up potential fights against the likes of former duel-division champion, Conor McGregor in the near future – as well as a boxing move to take on middleweight bruiser, Canelo Alvarez.

Islam Makhachev issued warning by Ilia Topuria

Furthermore, Topuria has also set sights on the possibility of a showdown with undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound topper, Makhachev – claiming the Russian standout will find it difficult to deal with him if they ever square off.

“The final objective is still there,” Ilia Topuria told Spanish media following his title win over the course of last weekend at UFC 298. “He’s (Islam Makhachev) in trouble.” 

Linked with a slew of different opponents in his comeback later this year, Makhachev, who most recently stopped common-foe, Volkanovski with a stunning first round high-kick and strikes KO win back in their October rematch, is expected to fight toward the end of the summer. 

And in terms of potential opponents, Makhachev has been backed to either fight former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje, or land a rematch against either Charles Oliveira or Arman Tsarukyan – who face off at UFC 300 in April. 

Who wins in a future title fight: Islam Makhachev or Ilia Topuria?