Dana White called out for ‘fumbling’ Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria super fight 

UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen questions Dana White for not making Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria early.

Dana White called out for ‘fumbling’ Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria super fight 

Dana White might have lost the potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria superfight (via Imago)

Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is one of the most talked-about potential title fights in the last few months. However, despite all the hype and anticipation, there has been no progress on the date announced by Dana White. While there are many rumors surrounding the fight, UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen seems to have a unique perspective. 

This fight has been on the table for a long time as Topuria and Makhachev traded several online insults at each other. Back then the Georgian-Spanish was the featherweight champion and wanted to move up and become a double champion. However, now he has vacated the title and according to Sonnen, that might be the biggest reason for the delay. 

If the UFC was gonna match up champion vs. champion, they would have made that match when it was champion vs. champion. To wait till one of them is no longer a champion and then reemerge with the same idea—that would be a little bit weird.

Chael Sonnen via The Good Guy/ Bad Guy Show 

Since vacating the title, Topuria has claimed that he was promised a lightweight championship opportunity and wouldn’t fight anybody else. However, Makhachev and his team have already rejected his call-out multiple times, ruining the grand scheme of plans. According to the Dagestani’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, fighting and winning against Topuria will not add anything to Makhachev’s legacy. 

As a result, it gave Topuria an opportunity to make fun of Team Khabib, accusing them of ducking. It also attracted a variety of criticism towards the pound-for-pound king, who promised to fight anybody at any time. However, that doesn’t seem to bother Makhachev who has a bigger prize on his mind.

Islam Makhachev’s dreams of becoming a double champion 

Islam Makhachev longed to accomplish what Khabib Nurmagomedov never did—win titles in two weight classes, becoming a double champion. His dream was to write his name deeper in history and strengthen his legacy beyond lightweight dominance. But everything changed when his close friend Belal Muhammad won welterweight gold, closing the door on Makhachev’s aspirations immediately.

Islam Makhachev's challenge in the welterweight division
Islam Makhachev’s challenge in the welterweight division (via X)

Muhammad has made it clear that he will never fight his Degestani brother and even suggested that Makhachev make a middleweight move. However, the lightweight champion is currently waiting for UFC 315, where Muhammad will defend his title against Jack Della Maddalena. The top contender has also heard about this and recently gave a sneaky remark on the potential to fight Makhachev.

That’d be nice… In Perth, bit of a story. Volk [revenge]. That’d be nice… In Perth, bit of a story. Volk revenge. Get through Belal and I think opportunities will present themselves

Jack Della Maddalena via The Grin Reapers 

Della Maddalena and Alexander Volkanovski both come from Australia and Makhachev has beaten Volk twice. While the ‘Great’ has recently reclaimed his featherweight title at UFC 314, it doesn’t seem like he will be moving up. As a result, JDM might have a great opportunity to beat Makhachev and take the ultimate revenge. 

Is Islam Makhachev already in the GOAT list?

Islam Makhachev has certainly earned his place in the best fighter conversation with dominant performances and an evolving, well-roundedness. His title defenses against elite contenders such as Dustin Poirier, Alexander Volkanovski etc, showed consistency, adaptability, and championship-level. While his resume still grows, beating top names and staying undefeated since 2015 puts him among MMA’s most respected modern champions.

Islam Makhachev is becoming the GOAT of UFC
Islam Makhachev is becoming the GOAT of UFC (via X)

On paper, he has the most number of title defenses in the most competitive divisions in the history of UFC. On top of that, his potential move to a second weight class could elevate his legacy even higher. For now, Makhachev is undeniably one of the greats, still climbing toward the top GOAT-tier status.