Fans and analysts have long considered the UFC lightweight division the most stacked weight class in the sport, and the buzz has only grown as Ilia Topuria steps up to chase Islam Makhachev’s belt. While fans are excited about the potential showdown, many believe it could be a lose-lose situation for the reigning lightweight champion. One of those voices is top contender Beneil Dariush, who recently shared his thoughts on the matchup.
In an interview with InsideFighting, when asked if it would be a “lose-lose” situation for Makhachev, Dariush agreed, explaining that Makhachev likely wouldn’t be the underdog. He pointed out that although Topuria is talented, past opponents have exposed his vulnerability, especially by taking him down—something Makhachev could exploit with his.
Dariush suggested that Makhachev would probably win the fight, but the MMA community can be harsh and often pressures fighters into matchups that don’t necessarily benefit them, especially when there’s little to gain and much to lose in terms of reputation or legacy.
In his words, “There’s truth to that (it will be a lose-lose situation), for sure. It’s not like Islam is going to be the underdog in this fight. If you look at Ilia’s fights, he has been taken down. He can be taken down, it’s not impossible. So I don’t know, I would definitely lean towards Makhachev and it’s one of those things where the MMA community can be very toxic.”
Beneil Dariush feels Islam Makhachev is in a lose-lose situation by fighting Ilia Topuria 🤷♂️
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) May 2, 2025
"It's one of those things where the MMA community can be very toxic, and this is one of those cases."
🎥 @InsideFighting_ pic.twitter.com/9v4NIHNKqh
Ilia Topuria Announces His Upcoming UFC Fight – Who Would He Possibly Fight?
Topuria hasn’t revealed who he’ll fight next, but he’s confirmed his return to the UFC on June 28 in Las Vegas for International Fight Week. The former featherweight champ told Telemadrid that he is focusing on his preparations, even though his opponent remains unknown.
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With Khabib showing no interest in fighting Islam Makhachev, a potential showdown between the two seems unlikely. While there are plenty of options for Makhachev’s next opponent, the most talked-about matchups are with Charles Oliveira or Arman Tsarukyan. However, the real buzz right now is surrounding Topuria, and fans are eagerly awaiting to see who he will face next.
Also Read: Belal Muhammad Continues To Deny Potential Matchup Against Islam Makhachev
