Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev had been trading barbs online after Dana White announced what’s next for both in the UFC. Despite having a massive belief in himself attaining a two-division champion status, Topuria doesn’t think the same for Makhachev.
Ilia Topuria Predicts Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena
Makhachev’s upcoming fight is against Jack Della Maddalena, though the date and venue are yet to be announced. Despite being the champion at a lower weight class, the 33-year-old has opened as a betting favorite against Maddalena.
However, Topuria doesn’t think the Russian fighter has a chance against the Australian. The former Featherweight champion predicted the fight during the press conference before WOW 19, held in Alicante.
“I think Islam, right now, I don’t know. Right now, he’s at a point where, mentally, I think he’s broken, because I don’t think it’s a positive thing to know, deep down, that you’ve abandoned a division out of fear.” Topuria said [in Spanish].
“El Matador” believes Makhachev’s actions cannot be justified with any other explanation. Topuria even used himself as an example to prove his claim.
“Imagine if I had abandoned featherweight while still having a Max Holloway to beat in the division, or a contender who really deserved it, who was dominating the entire division, and everyone was shouting his name. Well, what would that say about me?” Topuria added.
Fight fans badly wanted to see Makhachev vs. Topuria. Still, there is hope. If Topuria defeats Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, and Makhachev does the same against Maddalena later this year, the blockbuster matchup could happen next year.
Topuria Claims Charles Oliveira Will Have To Suffer for Makhachev
Before UFC 315, Topuria had confirmed that he would fight Oliveira or Makhachev at UFC 317, depending on who wins between Belal Muhammad and Maddalena. With Muhammad’s loss, it became certain that “El Matador” would take on “Do Bronx” on International Fight Week.
At the WOW 19 press conference, Topuria showed love for Oliveira but warned him against facing the fury Makhachev should’ve gotten.
“Well, first of all, I want to thank Charles, honestly, for accepting the challenge, right? Something that Islam didn’t do, and now Charles has to pay the price for Islam. I feel really bad for Charles, but hey, at the end of the day, this is my job,” Topuria said [In Spanish].
Oliveira, the former Lightweight champion, last fought at UFC 309, defeating Michael Chandler in a rematch. In their first fight, for the vacant title at UFC 262, Oliveira had won via TKO. Meanwhile, Topuria last fought at UFC 308, knocking out Max Holloway, becoming the first fighter to knock out the BMF champion.