Islam Makhachev Receives Title Threat as Ilia Topuria Sends Deadline for Lightweight Move

Is Islam Makhachev‘s belt in danger? Recently, Ilia Topuria rocked Alexander Volkanovski with his brutal strikes, sealing away the featherweight belt. Now, ‘El Matador’ and his high-soaring confidence want more from the division just so it can all pave a certain path.

A path toward the lightweight belt. Being a double champ is an ambitious move for any fighter. Conor McGregor did it, Alex Pereira did it, and Henry Cejudo did it as well. However, is it something every fighter can achieve nowadays? Here’s what Topuria believes.

Ilia Topuria can’t wait to get his hands on Islam Makhachev

Ilia Topuria can’t wait in general. The Spaniard was all over Alexander Volkanovski’s belt during the pressers, like he’d already won it. He’d changed his bio to ‘UFC World Champion’ and ‘Undefeated 15-0’ even before he fought ‘The Great’ at UFC 298.

Today, he’s turned his prediction into a reality that may have taken many by surprise. Regardless, his confidence proved trustworthy back then. Can it prove it again? In a recent conversation, Topuria revealed that he’d like to have one more fight before he can go up to lightweight to challenge the pound-for-pound best UFC fighter of the world right now, Islam Makhachev.

“The final objective is still there, he’s in trouble (laughs)” he told fans. As usual, he’s not shying away from challenging big names in the UFC. All of this in spite of being considerably new in the promotion. It’s suffice to say that he’s making waves.

Topuria is trying his best to be a showman and take the limelight away and so far, it’s working well. He first garnered attention with his antics with the belt and then with his knockout win over one of the best featherweight fighters of all time. This also includes the attention of Makhachev and, of course, Volkanovski.

Did they take it like a champ?

Islam Makhachev quickly took to X as soon as Topuria secured his win over Volkanovski. “Alex is undeniably one of the greatest champion in the FW division. Keep your head up and come back strong! Congrats to new champ Topuria, well done биджо !” he wrote in his post.

Also Read: Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Warning Rings True for Alexander Volkanovski; Is ‘The Great’ on His Way to Suffer Tony Ferguson’s Fate?

Meanwhile, Volkanovski was just disappointed with his performance. While the fight could have gone the distance, it just ended in the very second round. ‘The Great’ was a bit upset immediately afterwards and his first words were just, “What happened?” 

Clearly, it all took him by surprise. Later, in a video, he told his fans he’d break down his loss, observe the fight and come back even stronger. This time, his reaction was a lot more positive than his previous loss against Makhachev. Will the champ reclaim his title in a rematch?

Also Read: UFC Update: “Volkanovski Got Comfortable” – Real Reason Behind Alexander Volkanovski’s Humbling KO Loss to Ilia Topuria Revealed