UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria recently revealed he is considering a move to lightweight for his next fight, targeting a title fight against Islam Makhachev.
After defending his featherweight title once, Ilia Topuria is already considering a move to the lightweight division as he pursues a fight against Islam Makhachev.
The two sparked what appears to be a growing feud earlier this year after 'El Matador' claimed he would send Makhachev to hospital if they fought in the streets, resulting in a war of words from several of the Russian's teammates.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Khabib Nurmagomedov considers Topuria's plan to fight Makhachev
Since his shock retirement from the sport in 2020, Khabib Nurmagomedov has taken on the role of coach, with Makhachev one of the few fighters he passes on his knowledge to.
'The Eagle' will corner Makhachev for his upcoming title defense against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on January 18.
With Makhachev's next title defense already scheduled, Topuria claimed he would like to fight Charles Oliveira next, potentially earning his chance to fight Makhachev for the title.
Nurmagomedov believes it wouldn't be fair for the 27-year-old to move up and fight for the title immediately. He states that he needs a big win before he can be considered for a lightweight title shot.
However, the four previous times there has been a simultaneous double champion, they have not needed a win in the division they had advanced to for a title shot.
“I think if he steps up and beats someone like Dustin Poirier or Charles Oliveira, he's next in line, why not?” Nurmagomedov said while speaking to Henry Cejudo.
“(Does he deserve a title shot) without fighting at 155 pounds, without, no, I don't agree with it. Because Islam already gave a chance. People talk bad about, 'Oh, he fought Volkanovski twice already,' but the UFC pushed that fight through and the first fight was good.
“But why should Islam give three chances to the 145-pound champion? It's not fair at 155 pounds, but if (Topuria) goes up and beats someone like Charles Oliveira, then of course,” he continued.
Khabib Nurmagomedov predicts Ilia Topuria will beat Charles Oliveira in a possible fight
'Do Bronx' Oliveira recently returned to winning ways after defeating Michael Chandler at UFC 309 in a five-round co-main event, potentially securing himself his next title shot.
That said, the former lightweight champion has to wait for the climax of Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan, which is why he was drafted by Topuria.
With that, Khabib believes the 27-year-old featherweight champion could earn a lightweight title by beating Oliveira and has predicted he would do just that.
“You know what I think, I think (Topuria) can beat him,” Nurmagomedov predicted.
While Oliveira ruled the lightweight division, he was dropped in several of his title defenses, having to come back emphatically to defend his title a few times.
However, Topuria is considered one of the best boxers in the sport, with fearsome knockout power and the only fighter to hand Max Holloway a knockout loss.
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