The Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria matchup has been one of the biggest fights that has been teased at the moment. After defending the UFC featherweight title successfully against Max Holloway, a rematch against Alexander Volkanovski looked inevitable. However, shockingly, Ilia Topuria vacated his belt and moved up to the lightweight division. Soon, speculations began as to who he would face, and Islam Makhachev’s name came up as the firm favorite. However, analyzing the possibilities, Daniel Cormier poured cold water.
The UFC champ stated in a recent interview that what Khabib Nurmagomedov stated was one of the biggest tell-tale signs. Nurmagomedov recently opined that he was not ready to give Topuria the chance. This was because ‘The Eagle’ wanted Topuria to toil as hard as Makhachev first and then get a title shot.
This is exactly why DC knows that the fight might not happen: because people like Khabib do not fake.
“Khabib is about as straight as shooter as you’re ever going to find… I’m telling you, when he’s mad at me, he tells me. When he’s mad at someone else, he tells you. He doesn’t hide. So when you hear him say things publicly, take it as fact. This isn’t him posturing. This isn’t these guys trying to raise the price on a fight or anything. This is a true emotion, a true feeling, because that’s just how these guys operate,” said Cormier.
Now, such a statement is surely not great news for those banking on a Makhachev vs. Topuria superfight. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria has been adamant and has refused to step into the octagon if he does not get Islam Makhachev.
Ilia Topuria Adamant On Fighting Islam Makhachev
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Ilia Topuria is fixated on fighting Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title—so much so that he has refused to step inside the octagon! In a recent statement, Topuria made it clear that he will only fight for the belt and would not settle for a contender fight.
“I would like to fight with Islam [Makhachev], that is for sure, I would like to fight him. I wouldn’t fight for a No. 1 contender fight. If Islam decides he doesn’t want to fight me. I’ll sit until you’re gonna have to fight me,” said Ilia Topuria.
Thus, as the matter becomes quite complicated, it remains to be seen how things will turn out in the future.
Also Read: “I Don’t Train MMA” – Ilia Topuria Drops Truth Bomb About His Training Routine
