'La Leyenda' has the lightweight gold in his visor after leaving the featherweight title to enter a weight class.
Although other options have been discussed, it is clear that the primary focus of Ilia Topuria is currently on fighting Islam Makhakev for the gold of 155 pounds.
However, the champion may have other plans with Makhachev's manager Ali Abdelaziz who recently suggests a potential collision with Justin Gaethje next time.
There are other names that are still in the mix with the large Khabib Nurmagomedov who explains that he believes that Arman Tsarukyan is a more difficult fight for the champion.
Not to mention the fact that Makhachev has made it clear that he wants the opportunity to go and fight for the welterweight title that will be defended on UFC 315 next month.
Photo by Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty images
Ilia Topuria says that Khabib Nurmagomedov does not want him to fight against Islam Makhachev because he is a threat
After the recent comments from Khabib Nurmagomedov about the lightweight title photo, Ilia Topuria responded to what the former champion had to say.
In an interview with Adam Zubayraev, 'The Eagle' stated that he is not on board with Topuria as the next challenger because he has not proven himself on light by beating a top candidate, in contrast to Arman Tsarukyan.
There is also the fact that Islam Makhachev has already defended its title twice against Alexander Volkanovski, while 'The Great' was the featherweight champion.
Makhachev was earlier ready to face the number one Competier Tsarukyan in a rematch on UFC 311 in January, but when the challenger withdrew because of an injury, he apparently fell into the pecking order, despite many that he believed that he is the best in the division different from the title holder.
Topuria responded via social media, where he claimed that Nurmagomedov is publishing this story because he knows that the undefeated star is the most difficult opponent for the 155 pound champion.
“Khabib knows that I am the one who gets the belt of Islam. Only reason why he doesn't want Islam to fight me”
Khabib knows that I am the one who gets the belt of Islam. Only reason why he doesn't want Islam to fight me
– Ilia Topuria (@topuriailia) April 16, 2025
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Ilia Topuria is willing to wait for his title shot instead of risking against a top candidate
It is clear that the big obstacle in realizing this fight is that Islam Makhachev and his team have reservations when combating another champion of the Lower Wain that goes up.
After what he achieved at 145 pounds, Ilia Topuria seems to have the impression that a lightweight title shot would wait for him if he left his title to go up.
A victory over someone like Charles Oliveira or Arman Tsarukyan would certainly close the deal, but the last update of Topuria is that he is willing to wait.
He reportedly said Tass that although he would rather return earlier instead of later, he is not in a hurry to get what he wants, even if it seems as if none of them will admit.
“I want to fight in the summer. But if that doesn't work, I am ready for a title fight in the fall. We are not considering other options.”
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