{"id":39177,"date":"2025-04-12T08:12:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-12T07:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=39177"},"modified":"2025-04-12T08:24:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-12T07:24:29","slug":"i-will-submit-him-closer-to-khabib-ilia-topuria-makes-huge-claim-about-submitting-islam-makhachev-in-potential-showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/i-will-submit-him-closer-to-khabib-ilia-topuria-makes-huge-claim-about-submitting-islam-makhachev-in-potential-showdown\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I Will Submit Him Closer To Khabib’ – Ilia Topuria Makes Huge Claim About Submitting Islam Makhachev In Potential Showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

Confidence in MMA<\/a> isn’t just a trait, it is a weapon. Fighters who doubt themselves rarely make it far. The really special ones, though? They believe they can conquer mountains and Ilia Topuria is one of them. The undefeated featherweight champion has torn through the division, leaving unconscious bodies in his wake. His latest victims include legends Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, both finished in spectacular fashion.<\/p>

Now, ‘La Leyenda’ has his sights set on even bigger prey. After officially vacating his 145-pound title for Volkanovski and Diego Lopes to battle over at UFC 314, Topuria is moving up to the lightweight division. But he is not interested in working his way up. The Georgian-Spanish fighter wants an immediate shot at Islam Makhachev, the dominant champion who sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. And in true Topuria fashion, he is not just saying he will win, he is promising something much more dramatic.<\/p>

Also Read: “Sadly You Act Like A Champion” – Daniel Cormier Accuses Alexander Volkanovski Ahead Of His UFC 314 Main Event!<\/a><\/p>

Ilia Topuria’s Bold Challenge<\/h2>

During a recent appearance on the PBD Podcast, Topuria didn’t just claim he could beat Makhachev, he vowed to submit him. He even took it a step further, saying he would ask Makhachev about his favorite submission and then finish him with that very technique! But perhaps the most audacious part of his claim was bringing Khabib Nurmagomedov into the equation. Topuria promised to submit Makhachev right in front of his mentor.<\/p>

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“This is what I truly believe. Me, personally, I would ask him, ‘What’s your favorite submission?’ Whatever, I don’t know, D’Arce choke. I’m going to submit you with that…I take him close to Khabib. I will submit him closer to Khabib. Khabib used to take people on his shoulder, take them down, and talk to Dana. I will do it to Khabib. I will take [Makhachev] and then talk to Khabib. Khabib, I have to do it.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>

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😳🔥Ilia Topuria wants to submit Islam Makhachev with a D’Arce choke next to Khabib:

\"Khabib used to take people down and talk to Dana. I will take Islam Makhachev down [next] to Khabib — and talk to him.\"

🎥 @PBDsPodcast<\/a> ▫️ pic.twitter.com\/d2Wh3d1cDK<\/a><\/p>— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) April 11, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>