“I’m not interested in fighting Topuria. He competes in a different weight class. If I beat him, what do I gain? There’s no title on the line. People will just say I defeated someone from a lower weight class again,” said Islam Makhachev. The UFC’s reigning lightweight champion has defended his title thrice in the division and is already considered a legend by many. However, the Dagestani has no interest in building on that legacy by fighting 145lbs god-king Ilia Topuria at the moment.

While he dismissed the idea of a potential showdown with the 145lbs ace, many feel Makhachev is making the wrong decision. However, former UFC champion Michael Bisping doesn’t quite feel the same. Let’s see what ‘The Count’ had to say!

Michael Bisping weighs in on Islam Makhachev’s decision to not fight Topuria

At 33, Islam Makhachev’s time at 155lbs can very well be nearing its end. After nearly a decade in the division, the current champion has achieved everything there is to accomplish in his weight class. Similar to Ilia Topuria, Makhachev is focused on becoming a two-division champion. Before stepping away from MMA, the Dagestani fighter may aim to secure a title in a different weight class. And that ambition has taken him to think of a potential clash at 170lbs for division gold instead of locking horns with ‘El Matador’.

And according to Michael Bisping, the Dagestani is on a better path and doesn’t need to fight Topuria at the moment. The former 185lbs king recently took to his YouTube channel to share his honest opinion on the situation. ‘The Count’ explained, “He [Islam] said first of all he’s not interested in Ilia Topuria. He doesn’t want to give Ilia Topuria the chance to become a double champ. Now first of all I don’t blame him, right? He wants to go off and become a double champ himself. He doesn’t want to defend against Ilia Topuria. And Topuria has only defended the belt once. Whereas Islam would have defended the belt four times.”

The 33-year-old is currently focused on his upcoming fight at UFC 311 against Arman Tsarukyan. However, the fans now want to know what lies in the future of the champion. While he has ruled out the possibility of facing Topuria, there’s one condition that has been laid out by the champion for that fight to happen.

Islam Makhachev will fight Ilia Topuria only on one condition

The rivalry between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev is quickly gaining attention as two of the most promising fighters in the UFC today. Both men have been making waves in their respective divisions, and their potential clash represents a compelling matchup for the future of the sport.

Fans now want to know whether the lightweight kingpin would ever consider fighting the “small” featherweight champion. While he has openly denied the idea fans might just be lucky to witness the fight. However, for that to happen, the Dagestani will first need to wipe out the entire division. Makhachev said, “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.”

The rivalry between these two fighters is fueled by their shared ambition to dominate in multiple weight classes. Both Makhachev and Topuria have the skill set to challenge for titles at 170lbs and 155lbs respectively and beyond. Fans are now eager to see how their paths might cross in the future. Will the pair fight each other ever? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.