Ali Akbar Rosady
UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria has indicated that the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization itself is the primary impediment to booking a highly anticipated superfight against Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev. Topuria, who holds an undefeated professional mixed martial arts record, expressed his desire for the crossover bout but conveyed a sense that the promotion is currently disinclined to facilitate the matchup.
The prospect of a clash between the two dominant champions has been a frequent topic of discussion among fight fans and media, with both fighters and their respective management teams engaging in public discourse regarding the potential fixture. Initial speculation centered on a possible booking for a significant UFC event scheduled for June 14. However, Topuria, known for his direct approach, has now pinpointed the UFC as the decisive factor in the fight’s current stalemate.
"I don’t think that it’s because of him that the fight is not happening," Topuria stated in an interview with DeepCut, referring to Makhachev. "I truly believe that is that the UFC doesn’t want to make it happen. I think so."
Topuria acknowledged the UFC’s prerogative in matchmaking, recognizing the organization’s independent operational philosophy. "But at the same time trying to teach something to the UFC how to make the fights and all that, that’s a little bit difficult because the answer they have, which is correct, is that we don’t need your opinion [laughs]. We build whatever we have in our way. So we do it however we want it. And it’s completely understandable," he conceded, highlighting the promotion’s ultimate authority.
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The Allure of a Champion vs. Champion Clash
A superfight between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev would represent one of the most compelling matchups in contemporary mixed martial arts. Topuria, at 15-0, ascended to the summit of the featherweight division (145 lbs) by delivering a second-round knockout of long-reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024. His ascent has been marked by a flawless record and a string of decisive finishes, showcasing elite striking and formidable grappling.
Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion (155 lbs), boasts a professional record of 25-1. He secured the lightweight title by submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in October 2022 and has since defended it twice against Volkanovski, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s pound-for-pound elite. His fighting style, heavily influenced by Sambo and wrestling, combined with continuously improving striking, makes him a formidable force in the competitive lightweight division.
The potential for Topuria, the Featherweight King, to challenge Makhachev for the Lightweight strap, or even a hypothetical move to welterweight (170 lbs) as Topuria has publicly suggested for a "third UFC belt" (implying a future Lightweight title capture before a Welterweight bid), adds layers of historical significance to the proposed bout. Such a contest between two champions with dominant streaks and contrasting styles would undoubtedly draw immense global attention, potentially becoming "one of the biggest fights in the UFC history without any doubt," as Topuria himself noted.
Despite the monumental nature of such a potential clash, Topuria emphasized that his self-worth and legacy are not contingent on this specific fight. "For me personally, it wouldn’t change anything [if this fight doesn’t happen]," he explained. "I don’t hate him, I don’t have anything personal for him. The thing is that he achieved great things in the sport. He’s a double champion like me. And if you do that crossover, me and Islam, it will be one of the biggest fights in the UFC history without any doubt. But if that fight never happens, I will be happy and proud about myself. Anyways, I don’t need Islam to feel realized or to feel happy or to feel proud about myself, you know what I mean?" This perspective underscores Topuria’s confidence in his own accomplishments and future trajectory, irrespective of a Makhachev encounter.
Immediate Future: A Potential Lightweight Venture Against Gaethje
With the Makhachev superfight seemingly on hold, Topuria’s focus appears to be shifting towards immediate opportunities within the lightweight division. The original report indicated Topuria "will headline UFC White House against Justin Gaethje," and that he "seems a worthy contender for the 155-pound throne if he gets past Gaethje in June." This suggests a significant move for the reigning Featherweight champion, challenging a top-tier lightweight.
Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje (25-4) is one of the most celebrated and explosive fighters in the lightweight division. Known for his aggressive, high-pressure striking style and undeniable toughness, Gaethje has consistently been a fan favorite. A former interim UFC Lightweight Champion, he holds notable victories over elite competitors such as Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, and Donald Cerrone. His most recent outing saw him defeat Dustin Poirier via head kick knockout to claim the symbolic "BMF" (Baddest Motherf***er) title at UFC 291 in July 2023. A fight between Topuria and Gaethje would serve as a major test for Topuria’s aspirations at 155 pounds, potentially positioning him for a title shot against Makhachev if he were to emerge victorious.
Unsolicited Challenge to Arman Tsarukyan
In a surprising turn, Topuria also directed sharp criticism and a bold challenge towards Arman "Ahalkalakets" Tsarukyan, another top contender in the lightweight division. Tsarukyan (22-3) is currently riding a five-fight winning streak, having recently secured arguably the biggest win of his career against former Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April 2024. His grappling prowess and relentless pressure have earned him a reputation as one of the most dangerous rising stars in the sport.
Topuria dismissed Tsarukyan’s recent successes, particularly downplaying the quality of his past opponents. "The fight with Arman [Tsarukyan] is gonna be a good fight," Topuria began, before adopting a more confrontational tone. "The thing is that they used to take a lot of confidence because they fight with fighters that… His last fight was against Dan Hooker. He has, I don’t know, 20 losses in his professional career. It’s like, bro, you never, ever – forget about it, never ever in your entire life you face someone like me." (Note: Dan Hooker, a respected lightweight, holds a professional record of 23-14, not 20 losses as Topuria stated).
Topuria then launched into a vivid and aggressive prediction for a hypothetical clash with Tsarukyan, directly challenging the Armenian-Russian fighter’s highly regarded wrestling. "It’s like, I’m gonna embarrass you in front of everyone," Topuria asserted. "Because with him, he thinks that he’s tough, he thinks that like he’s wrestling is I don’t know what. Like, he feels that he’s an Olympic champion, like he’s the best in the world in wrestling. When it comes to the octagon, bro, I’m the king. In there, I’m the king. I do with you whatever I want to f***ing do. And I told him like I’m going to break his jaw in the first round."
Detailing his envisioned fight scenario, Topuria continued, "He’s gonna try to take me down since the beginning of the fight and when he’s gonna realize that, bro, it’s not that easy. It’s not that easy to take these legs and take me down, especially to control me on the ground. You crazy? And then he’s gonna start panic. He’s gonna be panicked and then when I break his jaw, bam. In front of all his crowd, all his people, his family, who gives a f***. Bam!"
These comments, made without any immediate fight announcement involving Tsarukyan, underscore Topuria’s unyielding self-belief and his willingness to confront any perceived challenge within the lightweight landscape.
As the UFC navigates its upcoming fight calendar, the path for Ilia Topuria remains multifaceted. While a historic superfight with Islam Makhachev remains a tantalizing prospect for the future, Topuria’s immediate focus appears to be a significant move to the lightweight division, potentially featuring a high-stakes encounter with Justin Gaethje, and a readiness to silence any doubts from contenders like Arman Tsarukyan. The intricate dance of matchmaking in the UFC continues, with Topuria positioning himself at the center of multiple compelling narratives across two divisions.
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