Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria is apparently one of the biggest fights that the UFC could ever make, but fans may have to be patient in waiting until that fight happens.
Last Saturday at the UFC 317 Main Event, Ilia Topuria became the 10th hunter in the history of UFC to win a title in two different weight classes when he eliminated Charles Oliveira in the first round to become the new lightweight champion.
The title was left vacant after Islam Makhachev Koos to give up in the pursuit of a good -weight fight against Jack della Maddalena, which apparently is the end of the year.
However, fans still keep hope that in the not so distant future we will see a super fight between Topuria and Makhachev, in what would be one of the largest UFC fights ever.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Demetrious Johnson shares Makhachev vs Topuria prediction
After his victory over UFC 317, Topuria unfortunately gave cold water to a potential fight against Makhachev, and claims that it will not happen from earlier conversations he had with the UFC.
Nevertheless, the 28-year-old set himself the goal of becoming the first hunter to ever won a title in three separate weight classes and stated that the perfect scenario Makhachev would be to win the 170 pound title and set up that collision.
“I would like to see Islam the title, and the UFC lets me go to 170 pounds and get the third belt,” he told TMZ Sports.
Although a potential fight between the two would probably only happen until at least 2026, one of the greatest hunters of all time, Demetrious Johnson, has revealed how he thinks the fight would go.
“I think it would be Islam because I think Islam will approach it differently, it is difficult,” Johnson told Submission Radio.
“Islam is a Southpaw, so he is probably going to throw body kicks and keep his arms busy and keep the distance. Go, veining, perhaps use some judo to bring him down and try to get him on the floor and try to submit him.
“But again, I have to see what Islam does (Jack della Maddalena), but I know that the only factor is that Ilia will always concentrate in the right place and to fight his opponents. When he arrives, he will load. If Ilia can get there, he will get a different way,” Johnson would go further.
Could Ilia Topuria retire with one of the largest legacies?
Despite the fact that he is only 28 years old, there is an argument that 'El Matador' could be with one of the biggest legacies in the sport.
Until now, Spaniard KO victories have scored on the will of Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and now Oliveira, who continue to add legendary names to his resume.
And still unbeaten on 17-0, Topuria continues to maintain his aura of invincibility and a few more victories will certainly bring him in the conversation as one of the greatest hunters of all time.