In 2025, a question is burning brighter than the lights above the Octagon. Should Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria dance the violent waltz for the 155lbs gold? The Dagestani mountains have already spoken and it’s a firm no! According to TASS Sport, Makhachev’s team said, “Islam has not agreed to this fight. He maintains the position that Topuria needs to earn a title shot [at 155].” Moreover, everyone ranging from a casual fan to a vaunted expert has expressed their opinion.
But perhaps the best man to talk about it is former 145lbs champ Alexander Volkanovski. The Aussie ace is no stranger to moving up to lightweight as he did twice to fight Islam Makhachev. Additionally, ‘Volk’ ultimately dropped his crown to ‘El Matador’ last year at UFC 298. So where does the former champ stand on it? We’ll let the man himself explain!
“I mean I understand. Put it this way, if he was trying to hang on to both belts, I don’t think that was going to happen. The fact that he’s vacated and the lightweight division’s in a position where, I don’t know, there’s no real clear number one, I think that it’s fair. The fact that he vacated, I think, that’s fair,” ‘Volk’ told Paul Felder and Michael Bisping on their ‘Believe You Me’ podcast.
“If he wanted to hang on and do the double champ thing, I think he needed to do more work. But the fact that he’s like ‘look I’m going to let this one go, let them– that division– move on, I want to commit to lightweight,’ I think that’s big, I think that’s fair. So I think he sort of deserves it,” he added.
MMA: UFC 298-Volkanovski vs Topuria Feb 17, 2024, Anaheim, California, USA Ilia Topuria fights against Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Anaheim Honda Center California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGaryxA.xVasquezx 20240217_gav_sv5_175
Indeed, that is what most fans, analysts, and even fellow fighters think. Dustin Poirier, for instance, felt that ‘El Matador’ did the “honorable” thing by vacating his featherweight title. This is why most feel that Topuria deserves to face the 155-pound king next.
On the other hand, two of Makhachev’s four title defenses came against a featherweight (Volkanovski), and the lightweight champ is in no mood to fight a 145fer for a third time. Especially when his own ambitions are to move up and go for a second class. Moreover, unless the said featherweight proves that they can hang in with the big boys at lightweight, Makhachev is expected to remain adamant. But assuming Topuria beats another top-ranked 155-pounder and gets the title nod, how does Volkanovski see it going? Well, let’s find out!
Alexander Volkanovski predicts Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria clash
“How do I think that fight’s going to go?” Volkanovski asked Bisping and Felder rhetorically. “Look, yeah, I have fought both of them. Islam is going to be a hard man to beat. Like, I think, for anyone, I think the only chance of him losing is someone, you know, knocking him out, right… I think everyone has a puncher’s chance. I think that’s the only way I see him really losing.”
Indeed, Makhachev looks nigh unstoppable at the moment. The Dagestani has developed a remarkably sharp and dangerous striking game to go with his already creme de la creme grappling skills. There is a reason the Makhachkala native rules the roost in the toughest, most competitive division in the entire sport.
MMA: UFC 311 Makhachev vs Moicano Jan 18, 2025 Inglewood, California, USA Islam Makhachev red gloves reacts after defeating Renato Moicano blue gloves in a lightweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Inglewood Intuit Dome California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGaryxA.xVasquezx 20250118_jhp_sv5_0501
But, as ‘Volk’ pointed out, Topuria certainly has the tools to beat Makhachev. The Spanish-Georgian, after all, possesses one-punch knockout power, which is relatively rare for the lighter-weight classes. In addition, although he doesn’t use it much in his fights, ‘El Matador’ has a pretty solid grappling game.
Topuria, in fact, came into MMA with a wrestling base and also holds a BJJ black belt. This is to say that the featherweight champ has the skills to deal with Makhachev’s deadly grappling and the power to knock him out. These attributes make him a very dangerous opponent for the lightweight champ. What do you think about Alexander Volkanovski’s thoughts on the Ilia Topuria-Islam Makhachev situation?
The post “There’s No Clear Number One” – Ilia Topuria Gets UFC Rival’s Surprising Backing on Islam Makhachev Fight appeared first on EssentiallySports.
