Renato Moicano speaks on the hype, the styles, and the stakes of a possible Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria superfight!
The MMA world loves nothing more than a good fantasy matchup debate. Fans spend hours arguing about who would win between champions from different weight classes. These discussions get even spicier when both fighters are riding hot streaks and looking unstoppable. Right now, no matchup gets people more excited than Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria.
Makhachev has been the pound-for-pound king for years, crushing everyone at lightweight with his suffocating grappling game. Meanwhile, Topuria burst onto the scene like a hurricane, knocking out legends Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in back-to-back fights. The Spanish-Georgian fighter hasn’t lost a single fight in the UFC.
The matchup gets even more interesting because both men are moving weight classes. Topuria recently vacated his featherweight belt to chase bigger challenges at lightweight. He is set to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 in Las Vegas on June 28th. Makhachev, on the other hand, vacated his lightweight throne to move up to welterweight. He is hunting Jack Della Maddalena for that division’s championship. Both fighters want to prove they can dominate at multiple weight classes, something only the truly elite fighters ever accomplish.
Also Read: Ilia Topuria’s Brother Reveals “HISTORIC” Plans If Islam Makhachev Wins The Welterweight Gold
Renato Moicano recently stirred the pot with his bold prediction on The Ariel Helwani Show. The Brazilian lightweight didn’t hesitate when asked about this potential superfight. He straight up said Topuria would beat Makhachev.
“I think Ilia Topuria would beat Islam Makhachev. He is the real deal…”I think with his grappling and the way he moves his head and his boxing, I think he would impose a lot of trouble to Islam Makhachev.”
Coming from a guy who’s been around the lightweight division for years, this carries some serious weight. Moicano has seen plenty of fighters come and go, so when he speaks up about someone’s skills, people listen. His reasoning makes a lot of sense too. He has fought Islam Makhachev recently and has firsthand experience.
What makes Moicano’s prediction so interesting is how it goes against popular opinion. The Dagestani fighter has looked nearly unbeatable for years, mixing elite wrestling with improved striking. But Moicano sees something different in Topuria’s style that could give Makhachev serious problems.
For this dream matchup to become reality, several stars need to align perfectly. First, both fighters must win their upcoming championship bouts. Topuria needs to get past Oliveira, who is no joke despite recent setbacks. The Brazilian submission ace has been in wars with the best lightweights on the planet. Meanwhile, Makhachev faces his own challenge in Della Maddalena, the Australian who has been steamrolling through welterweights. Neither fight is guaranteed, and upsets happen all the time in MMA.
Then comes the tricky question of weight. Would they meet at lightweight where Topuria feels comfortable, or welterweight where Makhachev is heading? The UFC would also need to get behind this champion versus champion fight. A lot of stars must align for this fight to happen.
(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)
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