When the Spanish-Georgian Ilia Topuria vacated his featherweight crown, he said: “The UFC promised me I’d fight for the belt. That’s why I vacated it. And they’ve always kept their promise.” And now, as ‘La Leyenda’ has stood up to his words, the whole MMA community is left wondering about a possible clash between Topuria and 155lbs kingpin Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title, if the UFC decides to keep their word. For months, Team Makhachev has expressed its skepticism regarding Topuria’s legitimacy to get a shot at the title without facing any worthy competition. This even included Khabib Nurmagomedov, who cautioned the Spanish-Georgian about the implications of his future at lightweight if he fails to deliver against Makhachev.
In retaliation, the former 145lbs champ replied via X, “Khabib knows I’m the one to take the belt from Islam. Only reason he doesn’t want Islam to fight me.” This back and forth is going to continue until the UFC gives us an official date or otherwise. But till then, speculations and predictions are meant to roll in left, right, and center. And joining the party around this time is none other than Dustin Poirier. The former interim champ, while talking to sports journalist Helen Yee in a resurfaced clip from February, made his prediction for a potential clash between Topuria and Makhachev.
Through his take, Poirier gave a harsh reality check to Topuria, saying: “I mean if he can stop the takedowns, I think his boxing is better than Islam’s. I think he’s a bigger puncher. Islam’s technique is getting a lot better on the feet. He’s kind of crafty and elusive. He, when I fought him, you know, he fought at a weird range, but I think the size difference is just too much, I believe.”
Poirier, who is months away from leaving behind his gloves in the Octagon and saying goodbye to MMA forever, was kind enough to give the advantage to Topuria on the feet, as Makhachev is still improving there. But ‘The Diamond’ made sure to let the world know that the size difference between the two will be just too much for Topuria to survive.
It’s a factor that Topuria may try to look past, but he should take it from Poirier, who is a former opponent of Makhachev and easily one of the best lightweights ever. Islam’s dominant wrestling requires him to have a larger frame and a bigger size. Even if Islam fails to outpunch Topuria, he will always have the chance to take Topuria down and possibly finish the fight. However, we saw how Alexander Volkanovski gave Makhachev the toughest fight of his career despite being undersized and moving up from 145lbs to 155lbs at UFC 284. And Topuria viciously dispatched the Aussie in their bout at UFC 298.
Even with a four-inch height and reach advantage, Max Holloway couldn’t stop ‘La Leyenda’. These aren’t just stats to pad his resume—they highlight that Topuria may offer more of a challenge to Makhachev than many expect. Moreover, Topuria’s natural weight outside the camp is around 180lbs. And Makhachev himself walks at around 185lbs when not in camp. So while that tough cut would have bothered ‘La Leyenda’ at 145lbs, lightweight can be a different episode altogether. Put in some concussive power, and you have a recipe for an explosion.
While Poirier chose to keep it simple and real for the audience, it wasn’t the only fighter prediction for the potential bout. What do the fighters have to say about the fight? How will it play out? Let us read further to find more.
How do the pros feel about the potential Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev showdown?
Many fighters have also weighed in on the potential clash. Fellow lightweight contender Michael Chandler echoed Dustin Poirier’s perspective, saying: “If Islam fights Ilia, I mean, I think there’s definitely a size difference. I think Ilia is a lot smaller than Islam. Islam is a big lightweight, a tall lightweight. Um, and he’s good in every area. However, Ilia has definitely got the edge in the striking department. And Ilia is very, very, very patient. Now, if he’s able to not get taken down and he’s able to just patiently break down Islam with those big shots, that he lands the big punches that he lands, it’s going to be uh a good night for Ilia.”
Beneil Dariush also showed enthusiasm about Topuria’s move to lightweight, stating: “Yeah, I mean, look at his skill set. He [Topuria] could do it all, and he doesn’t seem to be that small at 55. I know the one fight he had at 155 was where he was basically in the most danger he’s ever been. But uh, I think he’ll have success at 155. I do, I’m interested to see how well he’ll do against the better wrestlers, the guys who keep shooting and don’t mind, you know, don’t get tired from trying to take you down.”
Featherweight contender Arnold Allen gave his honest assessment: “Every time I count him out, he proves me wrong, so I won’t count him out. Yeah, Islam wins and he gets ironed out.” That sums it up: even though Makhachev might have the tools to win, Topuria is never someone to count out. Makhachev and his team will no doubt weigh the potential of this fight, especially given its massive draw.
With the Dagestani champion having essentially cleared out the lightweight division and his move to welterweight on pause, a bout against Topuria could be the perfect blockbuster to cap off his lightweight legacy. And if Ilia Topuria pulls off the upset? He instantly becomes one of the UFC’s biggest stars. What do you think? Could Ilia Topuria be the man to finally dethrone Makhachev? Let us know in the comments.
The post Dustin Poirier Gives Ilia Topuria a Wake-Up Call on Big ‘Difference’ in Fighting Islam Makhachev appeared first on EssentiallySports.