Ilia Topuria isn’t short of options as he plots his next move at lightweight, but one name continues to loom large: Islam Makhachev. Even with both champions currently in different divisions, Topuria believes the matchup still makes sense and he’s more than ready if the call ever comes.
The reigning UFC lightweight champion told eldoberdanMMA that a clash with Makhachev, now competing at welterweight, remains possible if interest aligns. On paper, it’s a bout that pits two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport against each other, and Topuria clearly likes how the styles collide.
“And that wrestling [Makhachev] thinks he has… we’ll see how well it works on me,” Topuria said. “With Islam, maybe that’s something the fans want to see. I’d dominate him on the feet, land three or four clean shots where I need to, and then submit him in his corner in front of Khabib.”
Topuria didn’t stop there. He made it clear that if Khabib Nurmagomedov gets involved, he’s prepared for that too.
“They’re so cocky and arrogant,” Topuria added. “I’d really love to submit him in front of Khabib. And if Khabib wants to step in afterward, I’ll gladly deal with him as well.”
Earlier this year, Topuria vacated his featherweight title and moved up to 155 pounds, setting the stage for what many thought would be a collision with Makhachev. Instead, Makhachev made his own jump to welterweight and later defeated Jack Della Maddalena to become a two-division champion. Topuria followed suit in emphatic fashion, knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to claim the vacant lightweight belt and secure his own place in UFC history.
With the two champions once again separated by weight class, the window for Topuria vs. Makhachev appears narrower. Still, Topuria isn’t letting go of the idea.
“I’ve always wanted that fight,” Topuria said. “I’ve always been ready for it. After I defend my title at 155, we’ll see.”
For now, Topuria is on a brief hiatus as he handles personal matters, including what he has described as extortion tied to false allegations of domestic abuse. He initially suggested he would miss the first quarter of 2026, though no official return date has been set. When he does defend his belt, he’s expected to face the winner of the interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 on January 24.
If Topuria continues his unbeaten run, he insists the responsibility falls on Makhachev to make the fight happen.
“Everyone knows it’s a fight that everyone wants to see,” Topuria said. “For some reason, he hasn’t accepted it. It’s easy to talk from thousands of kilometers away. But when you’re in the octagon with me, you’ll realize I’m not Jack Della Maddalena, I’m not Dan Hooker, I’m something very different. And when I land my right hand, you’re going to have a very, very long sleep.”
Whether or not Makhachev ever answers the call, Topuria has made one thing clear: he’s not running from the biggest challenges the sport can offer.
