Islam Makhachev’s Witty Troll After Ilia Topuria Win Goes Viral

Ilia Topuria's recent victory in the lightweight title bout at UFC 317 PPV begets distinctive reaction from former kingpin Islam Makhachev.

Islam Makhachev’s Witty Troll After Ilia Topuria Win Goes Viral

Islam Makhachev reacts to Ilia Topuria KO at UFC 317 with cultural callback (Source: X)

Ilia Topuria’s return to the 155-pound weight class was a resounding success, as he defeated Charles Oliveira by knockout in their UFC 317 PPV title bout. Topuria became the UFC’s latest two-division world champion by snagging Islam Makhachev’s vacated gold at yesterday’s PPV main event at the T-Mobile grounds. It prompted quite a response from the Dagestani.

Ilia Topuria relinquished his 145-pound gold earlier this year, in hopes of making a fight with the promotion’s #1 pound-for-pound fighter – Islam Makhachev. This matchup is something he still wishes on. But the latter made a similar jump to welterweight, and the Spanish fighter blamed him for ducking out.

However, he put those claims to bed when it came to be that UFC CBO Hunter Campbell pleaded with him to vacate. While hardly amicable, they are not at each other’s throats and are a division apart. For his part, after UFC 317, Islam Makhachev hopped in on socials with an “I acknowledge you” kind-of post.

Often known for their cultural appreciation, rigor, and sense of respect, Makhachev went on his IG handle and posted a quippy image (IG Story post; @islam_makhachev) of celebrating with Khachapuri, a traditional Georgian dish. German-born Topuria, now an Alicante-Georgian, was the first UFC undisputed champ from Georgia and now has the support of multiple nations as a global fame.

This is occurring in view of the fact that, prior to UFC 317, Makhachev half-jokingly diminished the grandeur associated with the IFW Festivity PPV lightweight headliner between Ilia Topuria and Oliveira. However, after Topuria’s performance, Islam Makhachev’s pre-fight assessment seems inaccurate.

As of now, “El Matador” hasn’t responded to Makhachev’s post. His victory at UFC 317 will bring him one step closer to possibly overtaking Makhachev in the pound-for-pound standings on the athletes’ listings weekly update.

Ilia Topuria closer to making #1 pound-for-pound case after UFC 317 win?

The UFC’s 13th annual International Fight Week was one of the best yet, with thrilling fallouts throughout the PPV card lineup. UFC 317 attracted an announced attendance of 19,800 spectators, generating a live gate output of $11,320,291. Betting favorites went 8-3: out of that, Ilia Topuria was the biggest of winners atop the PPV top bill.

Ilia Topuria proving to be worth his weight in gold
Ilia Topuria proving to be worth his weight in gold (Source: X)

With his Round 1 KO, the fighter has logged in as only the 10th fighter in UFC competition history to win titles in two weight classes. Now 17-0, Ilia Topuria was uniquely suited for it; while Alex Pereira attained it the fastest, he made it on undefeated stats and is the only one to do so.

He can tout 15 of his 17 career victories by stoppage and is now on a triple-streak of beating it out of fan favorites! Saturday’s UFC 317 PPV event totaled $298,500 in UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay; King Topuria led the charge with $32,000 sponsorship payment. Had it not been for a vacant gold, he would have had it as $42,000 as champ. His first-round KO also netted him a $50,000 fight-night bonus.

Despite welterweight ambitions, a return to the 155-pound weight class at a later date is a possibility for Islam Makhachev. Specifically, as reports have in trouble to bulk up to 170-pound hydration in recent weeks. If Topuria goes after and pokes the accolades Makhachev earned during his reign, it could again prompt a banter and probably a matchup. Then, more glory can await Topuria after that if he has that one in the box.

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