When Ilia Topuria left the featherweight title and announced plans to make a permanent switch to lightweight, a matchup with Islam Makhachev seemed probably.
But although fans have called to face the Georgian-Spaniard to face the 155-pound champion, Makhachev is also set for a weight switch.
The Dagestani will soon be a fixture in Welterweight, while he is preparing for Jack della Maddalena's new UFC Gold.
Topuria has branded a 'coward' and accuses him to run away from their fight.
But a lightweight competition who saw his teammate Dustin Poirier submitted by the champion, does not think that the Russian would have had the problems to deal with 'El Matador'.
Difference between me and me, that I cleaned the top list in my division, went to the next, but you ran away from two contenders who had consecutive 5-9 victories in the FW division. You are no one in LW Division, just a big mouth of Spain with a beautiful hairstyle. Get a w there, and we can talk boy
– Makhachev Islam (@makhachevmma) 15 May 2025
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Grant Dawson says that Islam Makhachev would have 'easy' time to beat Ilia Topuria
The American top team-trained lightweight Grant Dawson is one of the scope pending the arrival of Topuria at 155 pounds.
And the #14-ranking competitor may have already made an enemy of 'El Matador'.
That is after Dawson in an interview with Inside Fighting suggested that Makhachev would have become handy from Topuria if he had chosen to stay with lightweight.
'Personally, I am more interested in [Makhachev] Move to 170 [than fighting Topuria]”Dawson said.
“I think he would beat Topuria pretty easily. And I know I am crazy because I say that because everyone now loves Topuria.
“I just can't imagine that you add the size and technology and strength and cardio of Islam Makhachev and says he won't get it done,” Dawson concluded.
Michael Bisping says that there is still a road to the Islam Makhakev vs. Ilia Topuria
With the decision of Makhachev to chase two -division on £ 170, Topuria will fight against Charles Oliveira for his chance to achieve that performance at UFC 317.
But while the Dagestani and the Georgian-Spaniard have set their immediate sights elsewhere, UFC legend Michael Bisping thinks that the three-weight ambitions of Topuria can still pave the way for their matchup to reach the cage.
'Like Islam [Makhachev] Beats Jack della Maddalena … Islam vs. Topuria. These two are destined to meet each other, “said Bisping.
“If Islam goes to 170 and becomes the champion, Ilia Topuria will say,” I want to go to 170. ” … Since the Star Power Ilia has Topuria, chances are that the UFC will make that matchup. “
Nine hunters have won UFC Gold so far in two weight classes, but nobody has reached the first place of three divisions.
After Henry Cejudo and Alex Pereira have chased the performance in recent years, Topuria became the last to think about chasing that huge part of history.