Time is ticking, and the lightweight division waits for no one. Despite Dana White’s public vow to reward Ilia Topuria with an immediate title shot following his historic win, it appears Islam Makhachev and his team have other plans. The reigning lightweight champion seems in no rush to welcome the former featherweight king into his world, despite Topuria’s stunning victories over two featherweight legends—Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway.
Team Khabib, led by Islam Makhachev’s mentor and so-called “remote controller” Khabib Nurmagomedov, isn’t convinced that he has earned his stripes at 155 just yet. ‘the Eagle’, a purist when it comes to divisional hierarchy, appears to favor matchups against proven lightweights rather than crossover stars. During a candid conversation with Adam Zubayraev on YouTube, the former lightweight champ laid it out clearly:
“You see, all the guys who were at 145—even that same Holloway whom he beat—when they moved up to 155, they did nothing,” Khabib said. “That’s why we need to be smart—Islam doesn’t have much time left either. If you think about it, Islam’s going to be 34 soon. So Islam doesn’t want to fight Topuria, or Volkanovski, or someone stepping in on short notice like Moicano. He wants big names—guys who truly deserve it. Fighters who’ve spent years in the lightweight division. Nothing personal. But if you’re moving up in weight—earn it.”
Later in the interview, when asked to choose between Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria as the more competitive opponent for Islam, Khabib didn’t hesitate: “My personal opinion—not necessarily more dangerous, but more competitive—I think it’s Tsarukyan. I see Arman Tsarukyan as a more serious fighter than Ilia Topuria.”
UFC 311 Event – LA Islam Makhachev and Rentao Moicano meet in the octagon for a 5-round main event bout at Intuit Dome for UFC311 Makhachev vs Moicano on January 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA, United States. Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/ABACAPRESS.COM Los Angeles, CA LOS ANGELES, CA United States PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxUK Copyright: xPXxImages/ABACAx
(More To Follow….)
The post Khabib Nurmagomedov Has One Clear Message for Ilia Topuria as Arman Tsarukyan Gets Redemption appeared first on EssentiallySports.
