Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria want the same thing- a second UFC title. The lightweight champion, of course, is set to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 next Saturday. But if the Dagestani emerges victorious next week, there isn’t really anybody knocking down the door for a 155lbs title shot (except perhaps Charles Oliveira). This means that the Dagestani may just have a window where he could finally realize his dream.

This can come to fruition if Makhachev moves up to 170lbs to face the winner of the Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov title fight. But just maybe, it could also be Ilia Topuria, who moves up to 155lbs and competes to create history. However, Makhachev knows exactly which fight he wants.

“Which is more likely to happen in 2025? Islam Makhachev versus Ilia Topuria or Islam Makhachev versus the winner of Belal versus Shavkat?” the lightweight champ was asked in an interview with ‘Shak MMA’. “I think the second one because versus Topuria not makes sense. For what? For a belt or what? Money. I have money I don’t need [money]. I need the second belt,” Makhachev explained his stance.

This comes as a big surprise considering Muhammad has trained under Khabib Nurmagomedov in Dagestan. And the Dagestanis have a strong ‘no fighting teammates or friends’ policy. In fact, after Muhammad won the 170-pound title last year, many felt that Makhachev would not fight for that title as long as ‘Bully B’ was champion.

Even Makhachev and his team had floated a possible middleweight title clash against Dricus Du Plessis after Muhammad won the belt. But it seems that the Dagestani native wants a second belt badly and will even fight the Palestinian-American to get it. And Khabib Nurmagomedov will definitely not be happy with Makhachev’s comments in this interview.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s thoughts on a possible Belal Muhammad vs. Islam Makhachev fight

Khabib Nurmagomedov considers Belal Muhammad a friend. ‘Bully B’ has immense respect for ‘The Eagle’ and trained under him to prepare for his title shot against Leon Edwards last year, in which he was victorious. Having spent months together in the gym, it is not surprising the duo have become pretty close. This is why Khabib does not like the idea of his two friends fighting in the Octagon at all.

“My heart, not OK. It’s going to be hard to prepare Islam to beat Belal. He’s very close to me… For me, it’s going to be hard to prepare somebody to beat Belal,” ‘The Eagle’ told Henry Cejudo on the ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast.

Nurmagomedov made these comments before Makhachev floated the idea of fighting Muhammad, but we know where ‘The Eagle’ stands on it. To be fair, it is perfectly possible that Shavkat Rakhmonov will defeat Muhammad sometime this year. And this would be a win-win situation for Makhachev and the entire ‘Team Khabib’.

The Dagestani wouldn’t have to fight ‘Bully B’ and have the chance to fight for a second title against a fearsome opponent. But first Makhachev would have to get through Arman Tsarukyan next week, who is young, hungry, and incredibly dangerous. What do you think about Islam Makhachev’s comments about possibly fighting Belal Muhammad?