3 reasons why Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria could be Khabib vs Conor 2
Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria pound-for-pound rivalry in 2025 could be akin to Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor PPV event.
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Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor all over (Source: X)
UFC 155-pound champion Islam Makhachev has torn through the lightweight skills ceiling. This makes the dominant Dagestani a prime challenge for anyone including Ilia Topuria. As it is, a super fight between the two is all but inevitable. Does it remind someone of something? Well, it does – the epic Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor rivalry.
All the telltale signs are there for the combat sports clique. A wrestle-heavy Dagestani (Khabib Nurmagomedov) rising to top pound-for-pound ranks of all time; check. A European sensation (Conor McGregor) with multiple nations rallying behind him yearning for this rivalry; check. There’s also the double-championship bid that both want. Here is a look at why both are the same thing.
3. Pound-for-pound rivalry, baby!
Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was officially ranking as the promotion’s pound-for-pound best. However, the top churn in the P4P Men’s weekly update listing wasn’t enough. CEO Dana White himself was a prime instigator against this topic. The UFC boss spent the previous year vehemently defending undefeated Jon Jones for it.
Makhachev proved a loss in the stats is not that big of a kink with so many ballot appearances. Makhachev’s five victories in UFC lightweight title fights have surpassed GOAT 155-pound names like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, and B.J. Penn. Meanwhile “El Matador” put in a body of work that matches the excitement and skills criteria as Conor Mcgregor.
UFC 298 and UFC 308 PPV were not the best marquee-selling cards. But Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) beat it out the previous roster bests and claimed the strap. Topuria took over the Super Bowl LVIII Radio Row, Jack Slack Podcast 164; with an ovation during the El Hormiguero interview. The UFC champ debuted on the Forbes ’30 under 30′ list – a post only Conor McGregor had from MMA side of things.
Now, a necessary move to 155-pound hydration levels is also a “Conor Copycat” move, again. The Pound-for-pound jargon is all but a gimmick saying who brings in the most in-ring pounding and brand value. These two have been at it like none other. They need to see it to an end.
2. Just send location
At this point, the Topuria vs. Makhachev booking is all but a ‘Khabib vs. McGregor 2’ PPV event reloaded. They need to resolve, the world needs it, and the brass needs this PPV super spotlight. The above points stretch that out.
However, there’s the big gaping “why.” Why would champion Islam Makhachev need another featherweight name in the clank? What guarantees the Spaniard even gets that booking soon enough before the Russian jumps ship to welterweight?
Makhachev has already denied him the chance, wanting a double belt status for himself. But in the MMA/UFC game, one never says never. None knew that the Khabib vs. Conor McGregor would be a reality. None knew that the rivalry would reach the heights it did. Nobody could project the UFC 229 PPV event would go for a 2.4 million PPV buyrate! It’s all a possibility until it isn’t.
Ilia Topuria sits smacking ready for it. Manager Ali Abdelaziz has floated the idea that matchmakers have different ideas for Makhachev. One that could slide north to 170-pound names and has none from the 145/155 crowd.
However, the lightweight champion sports a gladiatorial mindset. Even after UFC 311 PPV, he said he’d fight whoever. If Topuria puts on a hard-press and trash talk to enter the cage, he might just get it. It’s another devout Dagestani vs. Euro talent all over again.
1. Life is a circle
Much like Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor, this UFC/MMA rivalry boasts much in the fine print. Back then it was Dagestani brute power vs. Irish MMA and striking. Now, it’s a Dagestani vs. Georgian wrestling and stiff skills test with the Alicante-Georgian “Order of Honor” recipient. Topuria was the first Georgian Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Club Climent MMA.
Like McGregor, he has dabbled in different weight classes as well. He fought in lightweight before till 2022. The current featherweight also won the Cage Warriors FC Bantamweight Championship at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp. However, he did not snag the gold as he could not make contracted weight limit.
Back then it was “Mystic Mac” turning global superstar and then some. He was a prime spotlight and former double-champ looking in at a second reign. He had the scope of selling out future PPV churners at Dublin’s 3Arena if he did so. While not a guarantee, now Ilia Topuria is the only name projected to sell out a card at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu.
It’s like the story writes itself with Makhachev vs. Topruia.
Related: UFC Stats Wrapped 2024: Some of the numbers this year are incredible
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