Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Ilia Topuria before fighting against Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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“Do What You’re Told To Do” – Ilia Topuria Taunts Islam Makhachev And Khabib Nurmagomedov Ahead Of UFC 317 Title Fight

Ilia Topuria roasts Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov as he prepares for his UFC 317 lightweight title fight!

Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Ilia Topuria before fighting against Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The mixed martial arts world loves a good war of words, especially when it involves champions and former champions throwing shade at each other. Drama sells fights, but sometimes the trash talk goes beyond just promotion and becomes deeply personal. Ilia Topuria has never been one to back down from a verbal sparring match. The Georgian-Spanish fighter has built quite a reputation. After knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to win the featherweight title, many expected him to defend his belt a few more times before considering a move up to lightweight. But Topuria had different plans, and apparently, so did the UFC.

His decision to jump straight into a lightweight title fight at UFC 317 didn’t sit well with everyone, particularly two of the division’s most influential figures. Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov clearly weren’t thrilled about Topuria getting an immediate title shot at lightweight. Before UFC 315, Makhachev made it clear he wouldn’t vacate his belt even if he moved up to welterweight. He also suggested that Topuria should earn his stripes with at least one contender fight before getting a crack at the 155-pound crown. Nurmagomedov echoed those sentiments and questioned whether Topuria deserved such a quick path to lightweight gold.

Ilia Topuria Claps Back At Team Khabib’s Retorts

Those comments didn’t age well, and Topuria wasn’t about to let them slide. The former featherweight champion fired back with typical bluntness in an interview with ESPN Deportes. He called out both Dagestani fighters for what he saw as hypocritical behavior.

“Khabib and Makhachev tried to make themselves look important. They have an attitude as if they invented the sport. It’s to tell them, ‘Guys, sit back, enjoy the sun wherever you are, and do what you’re told to do.’ When they said that, I thought, ‘What are they making up? There are two days left until everything comes out…What are they talking about?’ ‘I’m not going to vacate the title even if I move up to 170 pounds. Ilia Topuria has to do at least one fight to get the world championship fight… He moved up, vacated the title, and I’m fighting directly for the belt.”

Ilia Topuria on Islam saying he wouldn’t vacate his title:

“The attitude they have is like they invented the sport… sit back and do what you’re told…

Now look. He’s moved up, he vacated the title, and I’m fighting for the title.”

🎥 @ESPNDeportes pic.twitter.com/wEEQriOvki
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 13, 2025

The irony wasn’t lost on Topuria when Makhachev ended up vacating the lightweight title anyway. Topuria seized on this contradiction, pointing out how quickly Makhachev’s bold statements crumbled. Now, he is set to fight for the vacant lightweight belt at UFc 317. Meanwhile Makhachev is also chasing 2-division glory at welterweight.

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Ilia Topuria

Islam Makhachev

Khabib Nurmagomedov

UFC 317

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!