Islam Makhachev versus Ilia Topuria? Back in 2024, MMA fans witnessed the latter flirt with the idea of dominating another category—the lightweight division—and facing Makhachev because “he talks too much”. However, the lightweight champion brushed off any interest in something similar. After all, he already faced Alexander Volkanovski twice and it might not make too much sense to stall other 155-pounders.

Since then, the chatter around this possible matchup has largely faded—until now. As the Dagestani gears up for his record-breaking fourth title defense against #1 ranked Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311, fans are beginning to speculate about his future. This highly anticipated rematch against Tsarukyan provides Makhachev the perfect stage to assert his dominance, but questions linger about whether the lightweight kingpin would ever consider fighting the featherweight champion.

For now, the answer appears to be a firm ‘no’, for now. Islam Makhachev addressed the topic during a new interview with Adin Ross on YouTube, explaining: “Lot of people ask me to fight Ilia. What do you think, you know? Not make sense. I fight Ilia for what? No belt, nothing. Money? I have money. I don’t need money. And I already fought with some of the guys who come from the smaller division. But I am not saying no.

“If I clean my division, and if people want it, then why not? One day, I can do this. Yeah, easy for me. I never choose opponents. I don’t say, ‘I want to fight’ or ‘I don’t want to fight.’ All my life, I’ve asked to fight the top guys. Now I ask for real contender, who deserve to fight for the title. I don’t need some money fight or something like that. I need to defend my belt with people who deserve to fight for the title.”

At 33, Islam Makhachev‘s time at 155lbs seems to be coming to an end. Having spent more than a decade in the division, the reigning champion has little left to prove at his current weight class. Like Ilia Topuria, he has his sights set on becoming a two-division champion.

Before retiring from MMA, the Dagestani might look to capture a title in another weight class—likely moving up to welterweight to challenge champion and ally Belal Muhammad, rather than facing someone from a lower weight class again.

Islam Makhachev is more likely to face Belal Muhammad than Ilia Topuria

Ahead of his third title defense against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 last year, Islam Makhachev made waves in the UFC welterweight division with a bold statement: “I want a new challenge, a new belt. The welterweight belt is what gets me up in the morning.” While this may sound like a typical fighter’s desire, there’s more to the story. The Dagestani’s pursuit of the welterweight title stands in contrast to the philosophy of ‘Team Khabib.’

From its very inception, ‘Team Khabib’ has adhered to an unspoken rule: they do not fight close friends. Belal Muhammad, the current welterweight champion, is a close associate of Makhachev’s team, having regularly trained with them and even visited Dagestan last year before claiming the belt. While Khabib denies any direct influence on Muhammad’s rise, many believe that his association with the team played a role in his success.

However, we also need to note that Makhachev made those statements before Muhammad became the welterweight champion.

Despite their tight bond, with both fighters referring to each other as “brothers,” Muhammad has predicted that Makhachev can succeed if he challenges for the gold at 185lbs. Yet the Dagestani remains resolute in his pursuit of the 170lbs crown. In an interview with Shak MMA a couple of days ago, he clarified his intentions: “I think it’s more likely I’ll fight the winner of Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov because Topuria doesn’t make sense. For what? For the belt, for money? I have money; I don’t need it. I need the second belt,” Makhachev explained.

What’s your take on Islam Makhachev’s evolving stance regarding a potential fight with Ilia Topuria? Makhachev has shifted his position multiple times, often citing “public demand,” and now he has added another condition to the mix.

Do you think the reigning champion is genuinely avoiding Topuria, or is there another reason behind his hesitance? Share your thoughts in the comments below.