Islam Makhachev Has Turned Down Fight With Ilia Topuria

Islam Makhachev is not interested in a defence of his UFC lightweight title against Ilia Topuria, according to a report on comments made by his team.

Topuria has been calling the Russian for a fight ever since he defended his UFC featherweight belt successfully against Max Holloway at UFC 308, and has since then announced that he’d be vacating the title ahead of a move up to the lightweight class.

Yet, according to TASS Sport, Makhachev isn’t willing to give the Georgian a shot at his title until he has proven himself in the lightweight division, despite his recent record as a champion in a different weight class.

Islam Makhachev’s Team Name Ideal Next Opponent

They don’t want to fight Ilia Topuria next

Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez, has gone on record to say that he would prefer Justin Gaethje as his fighter’s next opponent, finding the American to be a more suitable opponent at this period in time.

Mendez, who also coached former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, said this in an interview with Submission Radio: “Fantastic. Then it’s Justin Gaethje. We’ll focus on Justin Gaethje. That would be, ideally for us, the perfect match-up based on where his standing is and what he’s done. He’s a big, known guy and Islam hasn’t fought him, so he’s perfect.

“Let’s focus on whoever the UFC decides, because I’m not even going to talk about something that’s not even there. What is there, is what Dana talked about. So me, I’d rather focus on what Dana said.”

In relation to the last comment, UFC CEO Dana White has also expressed an interest in a Makhachev vs Gaethje match-up in the future.

Ilia Topuria’s Move to Lightweight

The Georgian believes he’s done all he can at featherweight

While no decision has been made on the Russian’s next fight, it is a surprising call to claim that Topuria is not deserving of an opportunity, considering his recent status as a champion and his undefeated MMA record of 16-0. The Georgian even has prior experience of fighting at the lightweight level, having beaten Jai Herbert at UFC Fight Night 204 before returning to the featherweight class.

Topuria’s recent victory against Holloway was his first and only defence of the featherweight title, and he convincingly ripped the title away from Alexander Volkanovski in a second-round KO at UFC 298, which halted a four-year dominance by the Australian over the class.

White explained that the reasons behind Topuria’s move were that the 28-year-old had not only accomplished all that he felt he could do in the featherweight class, but also that his body was struggling to meet the weight requirements.

Makhachev has been on a tear since conquering the lightweight class with a title-winning second-round submission victory over Charles Oliveira. He has since defended his title four times against Volkanovksi (twice), Dustin Poirer, and, most recently, defeating Renato Moicano via submission at UFC 311.

As for Gaethje, the American has deservingly emerged as one of the main contenders to Makhachev’s throne. He has recovered well from his last-second loss to Holloway for the BMF title with a recent unanimous decision triumph over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313.

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