![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Islam-Makhachev-Ilia-Topuria.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
Credits: Imago
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Islam-Makhachev-Ilia-Topuria.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
Credits: Imago
The newly crowned UFC featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, has made quite a devastating impact on the UFC featherweight division after knocking out the long-reigning champion, Alexander Volkanovski, in the second round at UFC 298. After his win, the UFC champion has now set his sights to conquer a different division.
Ilia Topuria has made sure to make his presence known after mocking the UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, on Instagram and other social media platforms. This disrespect towards the lightweight champion has made some of Makhachev’s teammates chime in to give their opinions on “El Matador.”
Islam Makhachev’s teammate takes a dig at Ilia Topuria
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Ilia Topuria’s predictions of winning the UFC lightweight championship haven’t gone unnoticed by the lightweight champion’s teammates. During a recent interview, one of Makhachev’s friends and teammate, undefeated UFC bantamweight contender, Umar Nurmagomedov took jabs towards Ilia Topuria.
During the interview, the 16-0 bantamweight said, “[Translated] Well, I saw him. He’s generally small. He’ll be around 70 kgs. He’s almost my height. Maybe a little taller. He can’t say that he’s tall. And what kind of chances does he have with Islam? [I don’t see him winning] with Islam, I don’t see with Khabib, I don’t see there with anyone else. It’s just that the man knows how to promote himself.”
Umar Nurmagomedov certainly seems to believe that the Spaniard has no chance of beating Islam Makhachev considering how much bigger he is than the 27-year-old. Ilia Topuria might’ve rubbed off the wrong way for team Khabib after his recent taunts on social media.
However, other than the callout can he really be blamed for the insensitive clip he posted about Islam Makhachev on his Instagram profile?
Fake Islam Makhachev quote rattles “El Matador” and the MMA world
Ilia Topuria during an interview with Eurosport revealed that he wished to go up to the lightweight division to challenge Makhachev for a second belt in a different division. After Topuria’s statement, a fake quote from Makhachev circulated throughout the internet which said, “Another short guy is talking, Another short guy wants to be smeshed.”
This false Makhachev quote could’ve probably triggered Topuria to post a clip of Makhachev getting knocked out by Adriano Martins back in UFC 185 in 2015. “El Matador” also added salt to injury by adding a caption that wrote, “[Translated] The boy is cutting you off.”
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Ilia Topuria has posted the video of Islam Makhachev being knocked out by Adriano Martins to his Instagram story. 👀😳
The message translates to:
“The boy is cutting you off 😆” pic.twitter.com/ujV0V9m54z
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) February 26, 2024
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What do you think about the ongoing beef between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev and his team? Do you guys think that they would face off anytime soon inside the octagon? And if they would, can the Spaniard become a two-division champion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Also Read: Triggered Fans React as UFC World Falls Prey to Fake Islam Makhachev’s Callout of Ilia Topuria