Long before Ilia Topuria vacated his featherweight belt and entered the lightweight realm, the fighting community had been talking about him fighting Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title. Now, as the Spaniard tries to get his fight finalized against the lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov swooped in to prevent that. He claimed, “I don’t know what kind of agreements Topuria and UFC had, but from Islam’s side, he already gave two title shots to 145-pound champions.” But why exactly did the lightweight champ’s coach and mentor try to avoid a superfight with some amazing possible rewards? Daniel Cormier has the answer to that. 

Taking to his YouTube channel, the former heavyweight champion weighed in on ‘The Eagle’s words. Talking to Adam Zubayraev, Nurmagomedov pointed out that Makhachev had already given two chances to a featherweight champion (Alexander Volkanovski) and won in both instances. And if a similar thing happens a third time with Topuria instead of Volkanovski, it’d definitely be Makhachev’s victory. And even though that would be an amazing victory, Makhachev would have won against a fighter who had no legacy in the 155-lbs division. Khabib Nurmagomedov claimed, “In terms of legacy, for Islam, for his resume, I understand Islam’s risks.”

Daniel Cormier seemed to have felt that, too. He said, “It sounds more now, like, it’s like, it’s not worth it. I believe the response to those fights is why they feel it’s not worth it. Because in those fights, you had a guy in Volk, who was the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, unquestioned, he beat him, and he did not get the respect or the love that might have been anticipated, right? Superfights mean that the person that comes on the other side of the superfight feels a lift after winning a said superfight.” Unfortunately, Makhachev didn’t receive any love or respect for winning the superfight against ‘The Great’. 

Cormier believed that it was probably because the Dagestani champion was the bigger guy in the bout, who was already expected to win. The former heavyweight champion continued, “When you’re the bigger guy and you actually win. Maybe the love comes when you’re the smaller guy and you win the fight. But Khabib is talking about the risk versus the reward, essentially. And the reward, or the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.” 

To Volkanovski’s defense, he held his own against Makhachev and gave him a run for his money. The Australian seemed like the fresher fighter at the end of UFC 284, so no one really disputed him not losing his P4P top status, despite Makhachev winning. It was a competitive fight but both fighters were evenly matched, which explained Islam not getting due credit. Who is to say that will be the case against Topuria? Well, Khabib does, actually.

So, according to Nurmagomedov, Topuria versus Makhachev would mean nothing for the Dagestani champion’s legacy. But if it won’t be ‘La Leyenda’, then who should ideally fight Makhachev? Let’s see what ‘The Eagle’ has put forth. 

Who is next for Islam Makhachev if not Ilia Topuria?

Well, Nurmagomedov didn’t really want a dangerous fight for the current lightweight champion. Instead, he wanted a more competitive opponent for his student. And Arman Tsarukyan seemed like the perfect choice for Makhachev. He said, “In my opinion, not necessarily [more] dangerous, let’s say more competitive, I think it’s Tsarukyan. I think Arman is a more serious fighter than Topuria. Topuria is a good fighter at 145, but we haven’t seen him at 155. I believe Arman is more competitive for Islam.”

But there was yet another matchup for the lightweight king. Just like Topuria, Makhachev has also expressed his desire to move up to the welterweight division and become a two-division champion. And for that, he might have to fight Belal Muhammad. Even though the Palestinian champion claimed that he would never fight his teammate and friend, Topuria and Joe Rogan had a difference of opinion. The former featherweight champion, on episode #166 of the JRE MMA Show, pointed out, “How many guys we see fighting between each that they used to train before?” Needless to say, the JRE host had to agree. He admitted, “Oh, I agree. I mean, I think they should fight. I definitely think they should fight.” But we’ll know that after UFC 315.  That’s when Muhammad will clash with Jack Della Maddalena.

What are your thoughts on the fight between Topuria and Makhachev? Do you think ‘La Leyenda’ should get a title shot right after getting into the lightweight division? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.