There’s a lot of buzz in the UFC right now about who Ilia Topuria should face next, especially after he made another move into the lightweight division and left his featherweight title behind. Many fans are calling for a high-profile clash between Topuria and current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, believing it would be the perfect next step for both fighters. However, UFC veteran Chael Sonnen has a different take on the situation.
On the recent Good Guy Bad Guy episode, Sonnen recently commented on the missed opportunity for a high-stakes champion vs. champion bout between Islam and Topuria. According to Sonnen, Dana White had the perfect moment to capitalize on their momentum when both fighters held titles, which would have made the matchup more meaningful and impactful.
He suggests that waiting until one of them potentially loses their belt could lessen the hype and significance surrounding the clash. Sonnen also pointed out that Ilia Topuria is making smart moves by aligning himself with popular names like Paddy Pimblett, a strategy that boosts his visibility and fan interest.
In his words, “If the UFC was gonna match up champion vs. champion, they would have made that match when it was champion vs. champion. To wait till one of them is no longer a champion and then reemerge with the same idea—that would be a little bit weird.”
While the idea of a super fight still holds potential, the timing, according to Sonnen, was key and that moment may have already passed.
Chael Sonnen Claims UFC Missed the Perfect Timing for Islam vs. Ilia 🥊👑
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) April 22, 2025
"Topuria is doing all the right things by aligning himself. If he's looking for something that people want to see, he's found that in Paddy Pimblett. That really would make things a lot bigger.
If the UFC… pic.twitter.com/ZM5IsCQdCv
Arman Tsarukyan Says Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria May Not Prove Much, Pushes for His Own Shot
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Arman Tsarukyan recently shared his thoughts on Ilia Topuria and Islam during an appearance on the JAXXON podcast. He suggested that Topuria left the featherweight division because he was promised a title shot at lightweight. Tsarukyan believes Makhachev may hesitate to fight Topuria since a win over a former featherweight might not earn him much respect.
Tsarukyan also said that if Makhachev wants to prove he’s cleared out the lightweight division, he needs to face true contenders like himself. Unless Makhachev decides to move up to welterweight, a fight with Topuria could still be possible. The back-and-forth around weight divisions shows how fighters often chase the biggest challenges and legacy-defining moments.
