Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Former Heavyweight Champ Believes Islam Makhachev Will Be Criticized Even After He Beats Topuria!

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Ilia Topuria has so far remained dominant in the lightweight division and he has taken down some of the best fighters we’ve heard of. We’re talking about Charles Oliveira, Renato Moicano, Alexander Volkanovski, and many more. He’s already defended his title five times in his career and so far has remained the undisputed champ.

Apart from a few fighters remaining in the division, Makhachev has taken down almost everybody in the lightweight category. However, a new threat has emerged in Ilia Topuria and if he were to fight him, it will most likely be Makhachev’s toughest assignment yet.

“We all know at some point I WILL connect that punch, everything will depend on what God will decide… if he wants to send Islam to sleep or not”

Ilia Topuria with a CRAZY promo for a potential super fight with Islam Makhachev 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/Dg4eN5p5fF
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) February 13, 2025

Topuria and his team have made it clear that he wants to fight for the lightweight title after vacating the featherweight belt, and nobody else. However, Makhachev’s team wants him to fight other contenders in the lightweight division and we are still not sure about when the two will face each other.

Also Read: Arman Tsarukyan Knew The Outcome Of Pereira vs. Ankalaev!

Former heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier thinks that Makhachev should not fight Topuria right away and here is the reason why.

Daniel Cormier Says Even if Makhachev Wins the Fight Against Topuria, He Will Still Be Heavily Criticized

While Ilia Topuria is a great fighter and all the fans around the world want to see him go up against Makhachev, the Dagestani fighter and his team are still avoiding Topuria. While many may think that Islam is ducking Topuria, that may not be the only reason why he doesn’t want to fight the Georgian.

Daniel Cormier recently stated that win or lose, Makhachev would still not be left alone by the analysts or fans and would still be criticized. He said “I don’t know that Islam should fight him first.”

“For Makhachev, he goes and beats Ilia Topuria right? People will say he beat Volk, he beat Ilia Topuria, Charles Oliveira, and Renato Moicano. Seems pretty good. That’s five title fight wins but in that it would say, well he’s defended about three times against featherweights because at the end of the day guys, it doesn’t matter what you do, or in high regard you hold someone. The fact that he (Topuria) was a champion in the lower weight class is what’s gonna be pointed to the moment Islam beats him because anytime you have a dominant champ, anytime, you look for reasons to discredit them. Happens all the time,” DC stated.

“Oh he beat a featherweight and he beat a featherweight and then he beat a guy that was ranked lower on a day’s notice. People will always try to like find holes in his title reign, when those title reign holes aren’t there. He is the best fighter in the world and we should respect that but Justin Gaethje seems to be the guy that could be next but Ilia Topuria is there. Also, Arman Tsarukyan has a claim to maybe getting a title fight. 155 right now is a complete mess. It’s a mess.”

Also Read: UFC London Fight Card Has Some Certified Bangers!

The meeting between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria is just a matter of ‘when.’ No matter how many words fly around, when the octagon door closes, it will be Makhachev and Topuria squaring off against each other. The dispute will be settled once and for all.

Daniel Cormier

Ilia Topuria

Islam Makhachev

UFC

Eric Divakaran

nba

nfl

mma

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