Now Former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has laid out his audacious game plan for a potential showdown with lightweight king Islam Makhachev.
During an appearance on the PBD Podcast, Topuria detailed exactly how he would approach a bout with the dominant Dagestani champion, who is widely considered one of the most technically proficient grapplers in the sport.
“Me personally, I would ask him like, ‘What’s your favorite submission?’ Whatever, I don’t know, D’Arce choke? I’m gonna submit you with that,” Topuria stated with unwavering confidence.
When the host pressed him on whether he would genuinely attempt to defeat Makhachev using the champion’s own preferred technique, Topuria doubled down. “Yeah, this is a guy that’s trained and coached by Khabib, who you know, 28 and 0, you know, stories that he’s never lost a round in his life.”
Taking his bold claim even further, Topuria added: “I take him close to Khabib. I will submit him close to Khabib.”
The Georgian-Spanish star then referenced the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov’s famous habit of dominating opponents while simultaneously carrying on conversations with UFC president Dana White at cageside.
“Khabib used to take people and he showed… take them down and talk to Dana. I would do it to Khabib like I will take him, but then talk to Khabib,” Topuria explained, mimicking a conversation he would have with Nurmagomedov while controlling Makhachev. “Khabib, I have to do it.”
This challenge comes at a time when Makhachev continues to cement his legacy as one of the most dominant champions in UFC history, following in the footsteps of his mentor Nurmagomedov. Meanwhile, Topuria has been vocal about his multi-division aspirations after claiming the featherweight title with a knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski and settling the score with Max Holloway.
The potential clash between these two champions would represent not just a battle between weight classes, but a fascinating stylistic matchup between Topuria’s precise striking and confidence in his grappling against Makhachev’s suffocating pressure and submission prowess.
While no official plans for such a matchup have been announced, Topuria’s comments have certainly added fuel to speculation about potential champion-versus-champion bouts in the UFC’s future.
