Ilia Topuria Puts Islam Makhachev ‘Ducking’ Narrative to Bed with Class Answer

Top lightweight contender Ilia Topuria gives his honest opinion on Islam Makhachev allegedly ducking him.

Ilia Topuria Puts Islam Makhachev ‘Ducking’ Narrative to Bed with Class Answer

Ilia Topuria refuses to believe that Islam Makhachev is ducking him (via Imago)

Despite their fierce rivalry, Ilia Topuria’s surprising hint of respect towards Islam Makhachev caught many MMA fans completely off guard recently. The Georgian-Spanish fighter moved up to lightweight, aiming to end Makhachev’s dominant, undefeated streak that has captivated the division for years. However, Makhachev decided to move up, and fans accused him of running away, but it seems like Topuria has a different opinion.

Ahead of his upcoming title fight at UFC 317, Topuria sat down with MMA reporter Ariel Helwani on his latest podcast. Helwani tried to compare Makhachev to Jon Jones, hinting at the narrative of both allegedly ran away from Tom Aspinall and Topuria, respectively. However, Topuria immediately refuted that and gave reasons why the Dagestani chose to move up.

I don't think [Islam Makhachev] is ducking me, to be honest. I would be lying to you if I told you that he's ducking me. I think he's tired of the weight cut. He wants a new challenge. He moved to the welterweight division. He feels and he thinks that he has a chance to become a double champion. I think that this is all he's trying to do.
Ilia Topuria talking to Ariel Helwani

Topuria also discussed Jones’s sudden retirement and the ongoing public criticism of him for ducking. According to the fighter, Jones has done everything in this promotion in the last ten years, and now he’s tired. Despite his trash-talking personality, in this particular scenario, the former featherweight champion was able to respect both Makhachev and Jones.

Topuria himself left the featherweight division after repeatedly struggling to make the weight, which seriously affected his health and overall fight preparations. Ahead of his lightweight, Topuria has confidently expressed feeling great, fully prepared, and with more power to unleash on his opponents. For Topuria, weight classes don’t matter, as he’s even willing to move to welterweight eventually to chase Makhachev.

However, Dana White has advised caution, urging Topuria to wait and let Makhachev properly establish his reign in the welterweight division. The pound-for-pound king has also shown interest in eventually fighting Topuria, but his current focus remains on securing welterweight gold. Meanwhile, Topuria must first face and defeat a highly respected lightweight veteran in Charles Oliveira.

Former UFC BMF champion backs Ilia Topuria at UFC 317

Ilia Topuria has consistently proven why he’s considered one of the best fighters in this current generation of elite MMA athletes. The Georgian-Spanish fighter possesses incredible knockout power and has confidently claimed his grappling abilities are even more dangerous than people realize. His dominant performances and continued success have earned praise from many experts, including former UFC BMF champion Jorge Masvidal.

Ilia Topuria to beat Charles Oliveira
Ilia Topuria (via X)

Masvidal has trained with Ilia and his brother, Alexandre Topuria, and has seen them up close. The ‘Gamebred’ has been in the promotion for years and has a massive experience when it comes to watching new talent. In a recent interview, Masvidal gave Topuria his credit and predicted him to win against Charles Oliveira this weekend.

Ilia is one out of 10,000. Say their name. I’ve trained with everybody, brother. This guy’s special. I think he’s gonna be a world champion at 155. He’s gonna beat Charles, man. He’s gonna find a way to beat him. Charles is bigger. Charles has kicks, knees, elbows, great jiu-jitsu, good wrestling. Everywhere, Charles is good. But Ilia is just different, brother.
Jorge Masvidal said speaking to Red Corner MMA

Despite being a major underdog, Oliveira isn’t thinking about the dangers of fighting someone like Topuria. According to ‘Do Bronx,’ he has the ground game to submit Topuria and has also promised to knock him out. Going into UFC 317, the Brazilian has some strong personal reasons to give his best to win the belt.