Feb 12, 2023; Perth, WA, AUSTRALIA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) fights Alexander Volkanovski (blue gloves) during UFC 284 at RAC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

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Islam Makhachev Drops Major Hint About Fighting Ilia Topuria!

Feb 12, 2023; Perth, WA, AUSTRALIA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) fights Alexander Volkanovski (blue gloves) during UFC 284 at RAC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

A new chapter seems to be unfolding in the UFC lightweight division. Former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has officially vacated his 145-pound title to pursue greatness in the lightweight ranks. This move has sent ripples through the MMA community, creating buzz about potential matchups that could reshape the divisional landscape.

Islam Makhachev, the current lightweight king and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s successor, appears to be warming up to the idea of facing the undefeated Spanish-Georgian fighter. In a cryptic yet telling Instagram story, Makhachev posted a picture of himself standing next to fire extinguishers with the caption:

“Someone needs to be put out”

Islam Makhachev just posted a picture next to some fire extinguishers with the caption "someone needs to be put out" 🤔👀

(via. @MAKHACHEVMMA, h/t @MMA_PROS_PICK_) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/8XxymEISSZ
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 25, 2025

The timing of this post speaks volumes, coming shortly after Dana White’s announcement of Topuria’s permanent move to lightweight. The Dagestani champion has previously expressed fatigue at giving opportunities to fighters moving up from featherweight. After his impressive victory over Renato Moicano at UFC 311, he made his position clear that anyone that can make 155 is fair game.

Also Read: Dmitry Bivol Clarifies Why Artur Beterbiev Refused To Shake His Hand After The Fight!

Is A Title Shot In The Books For Ilia Topuria?

Ilia Topuria’s case for an immediate title shot is stronger than most. He’s coming off victories over two fighters considered the greatest featherweight champions of all time. His trash talk game has been on point too, boldly claiming he could submit the submission specialist Makhachev. Bold claims aside, Topuria’s perfect record and championship pedigree make him a legitimate threat to anyone in the division.

However, there is a major catch. UFC CEO, Dana White recently stated that they were looking at other possibilities for Ilia Topuria. This means that he probably will face a high ranked lightweight before he gets the shot at the lightweight belt. Also, Javier Mendez, the head coach at American Kickboxing Academy has expressed concerns.

He believes facing Topuria might be a lose-lose situation for Makhachev’s legacy. He makes a fair point – Islam Makhachev already defeated Alexander Volkanovski twice. Critics might view another win over a former featherweight as expected rather than impressive.

There’s also the matter of deserving lightweight contenders who’ve been patiently waiting their turn. Fighters like Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan have been grinding in the division for years. These established lightweights might feel slighted if Topuria skips the line based on his featherweight accomplishments.

Whether this fight materializes soon remains to be seen. Makhachev’s fire extinguisher post suggests he’s at least entertaining the idea. For Topuria, this would be the fastest path to potential two-division champion status.

For fans, it would be an intriguing clash of styles – Makhachev’s suffocating grappling against Topuria’s explosive power and improving ground game. As the lightweight division continues to evolve, this potential matchup represents exactly what makes MMA so captivating!

(Image Credit: Jasmin Frank – Imagn Images)

Ilia Topuria

Islam Makhachev

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!