Islam Makhachev Delivers Boost to ‘Focused’ Ilia Topuria’s Comeback Hopes With Champion Prediction

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has a positive outlook towards Ilia Topuria's future after UFC Freedom 250 loss.

Islam Makhachev Delivers Boost to ‘Focused’ Ilia Topuria’s Comeback Hopes With Champion Prediction

Islam Makhachev's positive prediction for Ilia Topuria's future (via MARCA, X)

Islam Makhachev has taken on some of the UFC’s most elite competition, facing Alexander Volkanovski and Charles Oliveira during his championship run. However, one fight that has yet to materialize is an intriguing superfight against fellow former two-division champion Ilia Topuria.

Makhachev and Topuria both had strong credentials for the superfight, with the Dagestani star ruling lightweight before moving to welterweight. Topuria later captured the lightweight title by defeating Charles Oliveira, while Makhachev became welterweight champion after defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

The Makhachev vs Topuria superfight was a huge fan favorite before UFC Freedom 250. However, Topuria suffered his first professional loss against Justin Gaethje, losing his unbeaten record. The defeat also cost the Spaniard the lightweight title, changing the situation around the potential superfight.

Topuria suffered serious facial injuries against Gaethje, including fractures around both eyes and a broken nose. It was the first time fans saw him take such damage, and he received an 180-day medical suspension. Despite their rivalry, Makhachev spoke highly of Topuria and wished him the best for his return.

Sure, [Topuria] will be back because he’s still young, bro. He has time. I hope he will come back and show a good performance. Ilia is a good fighter; he has good punches, good wrestling, and good skills on the ground. If he focuses again, maybe he will be champion again. This fight [with Gaethje] changed his life, but we don’t know which way.

Islam Makhachev via Mightycast

Makhachev vs. Topuria was reportedly rumored to be the original UFC Freedom 250 headliner before the matchup fell through. However, UFC CEO Dana White later confirmed that the fight was never under consideration for the event, dismissing the rumors surrounding the proposed superfight.

Topuria later accused Makhachev of pulling out at the last minute because of a hand injury. However, his manager Malki Kawa revealed that their team had rejected the UFC’s financial offer. Kawa said the amount offered for the Makhachev fight was too low for the matchup they wanted.

The Dagestani star directly addressed Topuria’s version of the failed White House fight, claiming the Spaniard repeatedly changed his story. The welterweight champion maintained that Topuria withdrew after the UFC rejected his requested purse, insisting there was nothing more to the situation.

Ilia Topuria’s loss at UFC Freedom 250 was a major setback for the former champion, ending his unbeaten run and costing him the lightweight title.

Islam Makhachev also experienced defeat when Adriano Martins stopped him, but he has since won 16 straight fights and now looks to extend that streak against Ian Garry at UFC 330.

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Islam Makhachev’s chances to become UFC GOAT laid out by CEO

Islam Makhachev has built a 28-1 record and is riding a 16-fight winning streak after becoming a two-division UFC champion. He captured the lightweight title, defended it multiple times, then defeated Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight championship at UFC 322.

Dana White has praised Makhachev’s accomplishments for years, while his popularity was especially evident at UFC 322. Makhachev attracted strong support at Madison Square Garden in New York, with the UFC CEO being overwhelmed by the size of the Dagestani star’s following.

Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev (via Yahoo Sports)

Makhachev will defend his welterweight title against Ian Garry at UFC 330, with victory extending his UFC winning streak to 17 fights.

That would move him past Anderson Silva’s 16-fight streak and strengthen Makhachev’s case in the UFC GOAT debate. White has said Makhachev is on the right path toward that status.

Breaking the record, you keep grinding, you keep fighting, put your head down you keep knocking guys down left and right, and then by the time he says you know what I’m done, then we all figure out where he ends up in the big picture, but he’s on the right path. I think we should talk about this Saturday night after the fight, and see what we all thin.

Dana White told the UFC media team

White has long regarded Jon Jones as the UFC’s GOAT, but his stance changed before UFC Freedom 250. He said Alex Pereira could surpass Jones with a win over Ciryl Gane, but ‘Poatan’ lost. Islam Makhachev now has his own opportunity to strengthen his GOAT case against Ian Machado Garry.

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