What will it take for the UFC to make the highly anticipated super fight showdown between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria? Likely, a lot of money! Earlier this year, Topuria sent shockwaves through the MMA world when, ahead of defending his title against Max Holloway, he hinted at a move to 155lbs to pursue a second belt. In an interview with El Partidazo de COPE, ‘El Matador’ confirmed his intentions, revealing, “I’d like to move up to the next weight class.”

This remark ignited a back-and-forth between Team Khabib and Topuria’s camp, fueling growing speculation about a potential clash in the future. What’s more, Islam Makhachev, much like the featherweight king, has expressed a desire to become a two-division champion, even hinting at a possible move to welterweight down the line. Now, fans are eagerly wondering if the paths of these two P4P elites will eventually intersect. However, the Dagestani native doesn’t seem eager to take on Topuria.

In a recent appearance on Yuka MMA on YouTube, Makhachev dismissed the idea, saying, “He (Ilia Topuria) fights in a different weight class. If I beat him, what will it give me? I don’t win the belt. Everyone will say I beat a fighter from a lower weight class again.” The reigning champion was referring to his twin victories over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 and UFC 294.

Still, Makhachev hasn’t completely ruled out the fight, acknowledging, “If people want to see him lose, we can make it happen.” So, what’s standing in the way of this matchup becoming a reality? According to the Dagestani native, it’s all about the money. When asked about the financial side of the fight, Makhachev explained, “No. In terms of money, I get what is stated in my contract. You can get big money when you are already a double champion, defending two belts, and talking. But if I fight Topuria, I will have the same contract.”

However, the situation could evolve. The Spanish-Georgian is rapidly becoming a larger brand, reminiscent of Conor McGregor, and is on the cusp of becoming the next UFC megastar. If that comes to fruition, a fight between Makhachev and ‘El Matador’ could very well become the biggest matchup in UFC history, possibly even outshining the highly anticipated Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall showdown, as recently suggested by a former UFC champion. Let’s see what he had to say.

Henry Cejudo’s take on Topuria vs. Makhachev showdown

The latest buzz in the fight world is surrounding the highly anticipated heavyweight title unification showdown between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, with many analysts calling it potentially the grandest clash in UFC history. But is it possible for any other fight to surpass it? According to Henry Cejudo, the potential matchup between Topuria and Makhachev could be just as monumental, if not more. The reigning 155lbs champion, with his undefeated streak since 2016, has solidified himself as one of the most dominant figures on the UFC roster.

Meanwhile, Topuria remains undefeated and is quickly emerging as the next big star in the sport. On his Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman, Cejudo shared his perspective, “I personally believe that (Makhachev vs. Topuria) could potentially be bigger than Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Competitively, of course. It’s not just that – it’s the simple fact that Ilia Topuria has a chance to become champ-champ…But in this case, if Ilia wins, that puts him in a category of, ‘F*ck, you beat the former pound-for-pound (best) in (Alexander) Volkanovski, and you’re beating the current pound-for-pound in a guy like Islam Makhachev.’ Give him his flowers.”

So, what’s your take on a potential showdown between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria? Do you think this fight could provide the Dagestani native with a lucrative “red p-nty night,” similar to Conor McGregor’s? Both fighters remind fans of the intense rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and McGregor, and their potential clash could generate similar excitement. Share your thoughts below!