Topuria’s Lightweight Mission 🥊
Khabib knows I’m the one to take the belt from Islam. – Ilia Topuria
Ilia ‘La Leyenda’ Topuria wants a lightweight championship fight, and nothing less, since vacating the featherweight title to challenge in a new weight class.
Of course, there’s a plethora of top-ranked 155lb contenders that would set the MMA community alight if they were announced to fight Topuria, *cough* Paddy Pimblett *cough*, but Topuria himself has made it clear that a lightweight championship bout is all that he’s interested in.
The division’s champ, Islam Makhachev, seems to have other plans regarding his UFC schedule. In addition to Makhachev’s manager calling for a fight with Justin Gaethje, the Russian pound-for-pound No.1 has made it known that he desires to move up a weight class himself, as an opportunity at becoming a two-division champion by conquering welterweight is on the cards.
With all the drawn-out speculation and annoyance regarding Topuria’s debut fight in the lightweight division, it’s starting to feel like we’ll get GTA 6 before a La Leyenda fight announcement, but this hasn’t stopped tensions rising between Topuria and Makhachev’s camp, as the latest drama proclaims that one man is running scared.
👀Khabib says Arman Tsarukyan is tougher opponent for Makhachev than Ilia Topuria:
“Topuria is a good fighter at 145 [lbs]. But we haven’t seen him at 155 [lbs].
I believe Islam is a more competitive fighter than Topuria.”
🎥 adam zubayrav ▫️ pic.twitter.com/plgOhRL39d
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) April 15, 2025
Topuria Calls Khabib a Liar
A recent interview with Khabib Nurmagomedov has gone viral. The former lightweight king is a long-time friend and now coach of Makhachev, so, naturally, some of his views on the Topuria situation might be jaded with a little bias.
During the interview with Adam Zubayraev, Khabib explained that he doesn’t believe Topuria is the rightful challenger for 155-lb gold because he’s unproven in the weight class and should face a top contender first. He also explained how Makhachev has already defended his title against a featherweight champion without the need for a contender’s bout and that it’s unfair for his fellow Russian brethren to continue fighting featherweights.
🚨 Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why Islam Makhachev doesn’t want to fight Ilia Topuria right now:
“Let’s imagine, Islam beats Topuria, then Topuria fights again and loses, basically he was a nobody at 155, Islam beat a guy who was a nobody at 155, in terms of Islam’s legacy.”… pic.twitter.com/zj2O8xlx1C
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) April 15, 2025
With all the confidence and swagger that a man should have after knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in consecutive UFC fights, Topuria let his thoughts be known:
“Khabib knows I’m the one to take the belt from Islam. The only reason he doesn’t want Islam to fight me.”
Topuria is calling Khabib’s claims bullsh*t, but honestly, I can see both sides of the story holding some weight.
If Makhachev defeats Topuria, critics will proclaim he’s defeated another featherweight and that he’s a weight bully. In contrast, Topuria is on a roll, and I can’t imagine many fighters lining up to test their chin versus his knockout power.
🚨Ilia Topuria responds to Khabib pic.twitter.com/WW5DlCc3Yx
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) April 16, 2025
Just Let Them Fight, Please…
Forget the drama, UFC rumors, and outside noise; it’s the fight that the entire MMA fan base wants. Outside of Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall, there’s no bigger UFC fight to make than Makhachev vs. Topuria.
Can we please let them scrap it out?
Fortunately and unfortunately for La Leyenda fans, Topuria’s stubbornness might keep him sidelined until a lightweight championship bout arises.
“I want to fight in the summer. But if that doesn’t work out, I’m ready for a title fight in the fall. We’re not considering other options.” Topuria commented during an interview with TASS.
😳Ilia Topuria says he will submit Islam Makhachev in front of Khabib. 💥
“I would ask him, “What’s your favorite submission?” Then I’d say, “I’m going to submit you with that.” I’d take him close to Khabib and submit him right in front of him.”
via: @PBDsPodcast / #UFC pic.twitter.com/ovzPrX6iVT
— MMA Pros Pick (@MMA_PROS_PICK_) April 11, 2025
So, there you have it. Whether Makhachev moves up to welterweight or not, Topuria is dead-set on fighting for the belt, as he and his team aren’t considering any other options.
Whether the fight we all want comes to fruition in UFC news or not, Topuria evidently wants that shot at gold, and with the star power he’s generated, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the UFC and Dana White match his demands.
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