Islam Makhachev who defends his lightweight title against Ilia Topuria would be a huge fight, but it is clear that one side of the matchup is more enthusiastic about the idea than the other.
After having recorded victories in a featherweight champion twice, it makes sense why Makhachev and his team might be more interested in exploring other paths.
At the moment there has been no official announcement about what the next step of the pound-for-pound King will be, although a recent photo of the Hunter Campbell of the UFC and Khabib Nurmagomedov have created a conversation.
An update with regard to UFC 317 came from the side of 'La Leyenda' with Topuria that confirms June 28 as the date he works towards.
Because fans are still wondering whether it will be the 155-pound champions compared to the former featherweight title holder in Las Vegas, a fellow light weight suggested that Makhachev has very little to win in this fight.
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Beniel Dariush says that Islam Makhachev does not receive a credit, whether or not he is fighting Ilia Topuria
In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, Beneil Dariush said that Islam Makhachev may not receive the recognition he deserves, regardless of what happens to Ilia Topuria.
If the lightweight champion turned out to be successful in that matchup, there would be a contingent from fans who would play down his performance because of the fact that he has already defeated Alexander Volkanovski twice.
Although a loss for Topuria would be an important setback for obvious reasons, Makhachev can also get criticism if the fight does not come together because it is such a long -awaited collision.
It is clearly the fight that the fans want to see, and it would be a big problem, but there is not much to be gained for the Russian, despite how high 'La Leyenda' is assessed.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Dariush was asked if there is an element that this is a loss loss scenario for the lightweight champion and he agreed with this sentiment because of the reaction of some fans.
“There is certainly the truth in it. It is not as if Islam will be the underdog in this fight. If you look at Ilia's fights, it will be brought down. It can be removed, it is not impossible.
“So I don't know, I would certainly tend to make Makhachev and it is one of those things where the MMA community can be very toxic and this is one of those cases where it is:” Ah you have to fight against this guy. ”
“It is just like Bro, the champion can fight against whom he wants.”
BenEuil Dariush suggests that Islam Makhachev could choose to take some time before fighting again
Although Ilia has confirmed Topuria that he will compete on UFC 317, we still do not know whether Islam Makhachev has entered a date.
There were reports, which were later closed by his team, who suggested that the lightweight champion would wait to see how the Welterweight Title Fight takes place on UFC 315 before he made his next move.
With a welterweight movement and fighting against people like Topuria or other lightweight contenders such as Justin Gaethje are all viable options for Makhachev, Dariush suggested in the same interview that the 33-year-old might have Koos to postpone his return that has already fought this year.
“It's a strange problem to have. He wants new opponents, but there really isn't anyone expecting Ilia, but Ilia is a 45'er and it seems that he is not really interested in it, so he can wait. That is always an option, right?
“He could wait because he just fought and he could wait a little and see who will be available.”