Ilia Topuria thinks he could face Islam Makhachev in an inaugural title fight down the line.
The White House might not end up being Topuria’s next outing but it still looks like he’s set to face Justin Gaethje in his return to the Octagon.
Unifying the lightweight belts is the obvious next step for him but he’s made it very clear that his top target is the champion at the weight class above.
Makhachev has ruled out fighting Topuria in June but ‘El Matador’ has got a suggestion involving the two titleholders meeting in the middle.
LATEST NEWS: Kamaru Usman: UFC matchmakers ‘feel differently’ about booking Islam Makhachev fight next
Ilia Topuria suggests that he could fight Islam Makhachev for a new pound-for-pound belt
Ilia Topuria recently provided two different options for where a potential fight with Islam Makhachev could take place.
‘El Matador’ said during an appearance on Adin Ross’ stream that welterweight would be his preference so that he can try to become the UFC’s first three-division champion.
However, Topuria also has another suggestion, one that would see both men leave their current divisions in order to fight for a new title.
“But also, it would be a great scenario to me to fight between 155 and 170 and to create a new belt,” he said in a clip reposted by Championship Rounds. “Why not call it pound-for-pound? Because he’s the number one, I’m the number two right now. For me, myself, I’m the number one, but yeah. You put two of the best guys in the world, you put the pound-for-pound belt in the middle, whoever wins is the best.”
Makhachev reclaimed the top spot on the pound-for-pound list when he defeated Jack Della Maddalena to win the welterweight title in November.
Both men may have just missed each other when they both moved weight classes but the idea of seeing the two current best fighters in the sport meet in the Octagon still remains one of the biggest fights possible.
LATEST NEWS: New image of Khamzat Chimaev’s physique convinces fans he is moving to light heavyweight
Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images
Joe Rogan recently called the amount of UFC champions ‘very limiting’
The reaction to the BMF title, which will be defended when Max Holloway faces Charles Oliveira next month, being created in 2019 wasn’t all positive from UFC fans.
The idea of making a pound-for-pound belt that would seemingly never be defended again following Ilia Topuria facing Islam…
2026-02-27 01:00:00
