It seems like everyone wants to steal Islam Makhachev’s thunder. For starters, people refused to give him his stripes as the lightweight champion for defending his belt against a featherweight, Alexander Volkanovki, twice. Of course, when he submitted Poirier, people stayed quiet. But when he submitted Renato Moicano in the first round, people still doubted him because he didn’t defend against the No.1 contender Arman Tsarukyan. Again, that wasn’t his fault since ‘Akhalkalakets’ pulled out at the last minute. Now Ilia Topuria wants a shot at his belt, and people are accusing Makhachev of ducking the featherweight champ.
On the flip side, Makhachev wants Topuria to fight someone else in the division before coming to the belt. “Let him move up and earn his shot, and we’ll fight,” is what the lightweight champion said. Amid all of this, former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski gave a nuanced take, where he gave Islam Makhachev his due, but also said that if there’s anyone who could beat the lightweight champion currently, it’s Ilia Topuria.
While speaking to Michael Bisping in Believe You Me, Volk said, “Islam is gonna be a hard man to beat. I think the only chance of him losing to someone knocking him out, and if anyone can do it, it’s Ilia. Ilia has got some dangerous hands.” And it makes sense that ‘The Great’ had this assessment since he’s fought both men in the past.
Indeed, Makhachev is in a tough spot. The legit 155-lb No.1 contender Arman Tsarukyan has to earn back his title shot, i.e., he will have to face someone else before taking a crack at the title. And there are a host of title contenders waiting in the bleachers for their shot. Among them is Ilia Topuria. So, will Makhachev oblige the Georgian-Spaniard?
Will Islam Makhachev fight Ilia Topuria?
“What does this title represent? It means you’re the best in the world, and if you’re the best in the world, it doesn’t matter who’s going to be standing across from you. What do I say? No? NEVER. Let’s do this!” , the Dagestani phenom declared to his fans on social media after Renato Moicano replaced Tsarukyan. But now why is he refusing to even think of a prospective fight against Topuria?
Well, the answer is simple. He wants ‘El Matador’ to prove himself against another top-ranked lightweight before getting to the belt. Team Khabib said, “Let him move up and earn his shot.” As per a TASS Sports report, Makhachev’s team established, “Islam has not agreed to this fight. He maintains the position that Topuria needs to earn a title shot at 155.”
But there’s more in this story than meets the eye, at least as per former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. In a comment on Happy Punch’s Instagram post, Woodley wrote, “Naw, that ain’t the reason.” probably alluding to the fact that the lightweight champion is somehow scared of ‘El Matador’. Furthermore, there are top-notch contenders like Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Ilia Topuria who are vying for the title shot.
Trying to find a way out, former two-weight champion Daniel Cormier gave his opinion said in his channel, “Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev. Yes. Book it. Gaethje vs. Tsarukyan. Book it. Whoever wins fights Makhachev. That’s it, right there. That’s it. Topuria gets the shot. Tsarukyan, Gaethje. The winner gets the title fight. We’re back in line at 155.”
With the lightweight division in a series of transitions right now, what will Dana White decide? Comment down your thoughts and debates below.
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