Earlier this month, Islam Makhachev was already feeling the heat on two fronts! From MMA fans and, of course, the former 145lbs kingpin Ilia Topuria. But the pressure dialed up even more when Makhachev came under fire from someone closer to home: ‘La Leyenda’s friend, countryman, and reigning bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. Earlier this month, ‘The Machine’ didn’t mince words as he called out Makhachev and ‘Team Khabib’ for what he saw as a double standard. Not long ago, Makhachev had publicly criticized Merab Dvalishvili for refusing to fight his teammate Umar Nurmagomedov.

But now that Makhachev has a legitimate top contender in Topuria, ‘The Machine’ quipped that the lightweight champ is avoiding the next big challenge. Backing his close friend, ‘The Machine’ made his stance clear—Ilia Topuria deserves a shot at the 155-pound title. Recalling a past conversation at the UFC 311 presser, the Georgian shared: “Islam once told me at a press conference: ‘Merab, I respect you, but when you have a top contender, you should fight him.’ And I said, ‘Okay, I’m fighting.’ But now that he has a top contender in Ilia Topuria, he’s not fighting him.”

With the Georgian-Spanish already vacating his featherweight belt and moving up, Dvalishvili believes the pressure is now squarely on Team Khabib. Despite claims by other UFC fighters and fans that Topuria needs to prove himself against a top-ranked lightweight, ‘The Machine’ said that the Georgian star has already done enough. Speaking to UFC veteran Jake Shields on the latter’s YouTube channel, Dvalishvili doubled down: “That’s the fight to make for me. He [Ilia] vacated the belt—that’s it. I know Islam said he doesn’t wanna fight smaller guys, but Ilia has the biggest name. He beat Arman, he beat Oliveira. It’s not gonna be an easy fight for Ilia, but this is the superfight.”

Agreeing with ‘The Machine’ on his point, Sneako, who was present with the veteran duo, shut down claims from Makhachev’s camp that Ilia is “smaller,” pointing out that Topuria currently walks around at 180lbs outside the camp. As Makhachev’s team continues to deflect, Dvalishvili reminded everyone that Makhachev has already “walked through the wave… the whole division.” For the 135lbs king, anyone other than Islam Makhachev, even Charles Oliveira, is just a “stupid” fight.

In ‘The Machine’s eyes, Topuria isn’t after big names—he’s after the belt. Moreover, he added that if Topuria fights Oliveira and somehow loses, then his plans for 155lbs would be buried in the ground. A fair point to be honest! But that brings us to another question: Where does Oliveira stand mentally when it comes to facing Topuria—and what condition needs to be met for that fight to happen?

What’s Charles Oliveira’s condition for fighting Ilia Topuria?

Charles Oliveira isn’t concerned with who the UFC puts in front of him—he just wants a shot at gold. Whether it’s Islam Makhachev or Ilia Topuria holding the belt, ‘Do Bronx’, is ready to step in. At the same time, ‘La Leyenda’, Makhachev, and a few other top contenders in the lightweight division are all locked in on the same prize. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Makhachev is now waiting on the outcome of UFC 315, where the welterweight title will be up for grabs between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena.

The Dagestani native has openly expressed his goal of becoming a two-division champion, but the complication lies in the fact that Belal Muhammad, his friend and longtime training partner, is the current champion at 170 pounds. That close relationship is one of the main reasons Makhachev has held off on making the jump.

However, if the Aussie contender manages to dethrone Muhammad next month, rumors are intensifying that Makhachev may vacate the 155-pound title and shift his focus to welterweight gold. In a recent interview on Portal do Vale Tudo, Oliveira made his stance on a potential fight with Topuria crystal clear. He stated, “I don’t run away from anyone, I never have… If it’s for the title, why not fight Topuria? I’m looking for the title. I don’t want to fight another fight just to wait for the title, no.” 

What’s your opinion on Merab Dvalishvili’s statement? Do you believe Ilia Topuria has earned an immediate title shot at 155lbs? Share your thoughts below.