Islam Makhachev has already climbed some of the highest mountains that you can climb in UFC. The 155 lbs God King wants new challenges now. “I don’t see much competition left in my division; I’ve beaten almost everyone. I’ve been thinking about moving up to 170, and I can stay there.” This is what he said on X recently. So it is safe to say that he is mentally prepared to challenge his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov’s records and become a division champion.
However, there is one complication. The intricate ties of loyalty inside the mixed martial arts fraternity have never been more pronounced than in the relation of Belal Muhammad, and Makhachev. Muhammad’s elevation to welterweight power is not separate from the Dagestani team’s fighting legacy.
On the other hand, Dustin Poirier, who lost to Makhachev at UFC 302, praised him and said that he can achieve his goals in 170 lbs. During a conversation with, Sports Illustrated, ‘The Diamond’ said, “He is an incredible fighter great champion, and he is going to be tough to be for whoever gets in there against you know honestly I think he could even move up to 170 lbs and success there but I don’t know him personally.”
Islam Makhachev | via Imago
He also added, “But I am sure he is very disciplined and this has been his craft since he was a kid. And he had been working on this and he is the best world pound for pound no 1 right now.” However, there is one tiny problem. Ilia Topuria has eyes on Makhachev and envisioned a potential bout against him.
“I believe that I can beat the current champion, Islam,” Topuria expressed on the Full Send Podcast. “I think that. He’s a great champion. You can’t be a world champion by chance; you have to do things great. He’s a beast. I don’t like to be a bully and fight with people that I know 100 percent that I’m going to whoop his a–, you know?”
On top of that, even Yoel Romero thinks that ‘El Matador’ could beat Makhachev. The Cuban star, known for his combustive style, can see the X factor in ‘El Matador’.
Yoel Romero vouched for Ilia Topuria
UFC middleweight legend, Yoel Romero and fighter/analyst Gaston ‘Tonga’ Reyno spoke on the ‘Overdogs Podcast’ about a potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria showdown. Reyno said, “Let me tell you something, I believe in Ilia. Remember Jai Herbert? He lost the first round, then he came out stronger and knocked him out. It’s a talent seen every 50 years. If he says that he can beat Makhachev, I believe him.”
This is when Romero substantiated his claim with a bit of history. He said, “I was telling William, the Georgians have always been the Achilles heel of the Russian and Dagestani wrestlers, always.” It’s true that at UFC 311, Umar Nurmagomedov’s undefeated record was smashed by the Georgian go-getter, Merab Dvalishvili.
So this made the duo confident that Topuria might beat Makhachev. Ilia Topuria’s pride, however, was attacked by Makahchev in a recent interview with Match TV. The Dagestani stated, “Maybe [I am warming up to this], but I heard that he has problems cutting weight, that he can no longer fit into the limit in his weight class… He’s probably already gained fat from the good life, and he already wants to leave that belt and move up.”
Makhachev wants Topuria to prove that he deserves the shot at double gold. Will Makhachev reign with the Dagestani honor again or Ilia Topuria will break their legacy with his Georgian power? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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