Hypocrisy surrounding Ilia Topuria’s potential title shot against Islam Makhachev exposed by UFC veteran

UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush talks on UFC 155-pound champ Islam Makhachev nixing Ilia Topuria matchup despite wanting new competition .

Hypocrisy surrounding Ilia Topuria’s potential title shot against Islam Makhachev exposed by UFC veteran

Beneil Dariush pitches in on Islam Makhachev not wanting to match Ilia Topuria (Source: X/IMAGO)

Soon-to-be former featherweight champ Ilia Topuria is in between a rock and a hard place with his shift up. He has long wanted a challenge against reigning UFC 155-pound champ Islam Makhachev and is forsaking momentum in his division. But the Dagestani is less than keen on it. Now, competition veteran Beneil Dariush weighed in on Topuria’s chances.

Ilia Topuria will officially relinquish the stake to his 145-pound strap at the first bell of the UFC 314 PPV event, April 12 at Kaseya Center in Miami. His move to lightweight limits is a confusing rage bet for the longtime champion.

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On the one hand, Islam Makhachev needs new guys, not rematches or a trilogy. On the other hand, he already catches fire for facing former or current competition featherweights, so explained Beneil Dariush on the hypocritical contrast in this.

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Um, I guess I would say it’s… if, if Ilia is coming into the division, I honestly think he, he’s…he’s the most deserving. But I don’t think, um, Makhachev and his team right now want to give a shot to another 45lber – and at the same time, Makhachev also wants to fight new guys — So it kind of, it’s kind of one of those things where you’re stuck in, uh, you’re stuck…

Beneil Dariush to Helen Yee Sports YT Channel (@HelenYeeSports)

Ilia Topuria knocked the wind out of former UFC Pound-for-pound and 145-pound kingpin Alexander Volkanovski. Then, he went to a crisp clinic against the gritty Max Holloway and was the first to knock him out.

Many have laid out the blueprint that ‘El Matador’ needs a solid win or two to drive up a title shot bargain. For his part, Beneil Dariush and a few others, though, support the momentum he is carrying to propel him to a straight shot.

Given his natural off-camp hydration and power, many believe Ilia Topuria has not maxed out his peak performance. His last war was also against a peak Holloway; ‘Blessed’ had one of the best cuts at 155 pounds right before that.

So many believe the lightweight entrant can surely carry the momentum at 155. But the biggest deterrent to Topuria and a gradual title shot is rather a “Highlight”. One that Makhachev might go for.

Justin Gaethje in a race against ‘El Matador’, sends hard ultimatum to fight for the belt next

UFC lightweight Justin Gaethje is back on the winning side after the UFC 313 PPV co-mains. He defeated Rafael Fiziev in a rematch via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Now, he wants a crack at the undisputed gold.

Islam Makhachev gets new challenger on the block
Islam Makhachev gets new challenger on the block (Source: X)

Gaethje’s 14 UFC fight-night bonuses since 2017 are the most in active competition. He had one exhibition loss at 155 pounds defending the “BMF” belt. But other than that, he makes for quite the momentum.

Ilia Topuria has been gunning for this since winning his belt and defending it last year. He is undefeated and quite the draw. But even Team Makhachev has veered to choose Gaethje out of the two. Now, Gaethje means to bank on this momentum and shoot his shot.

I won 3 out of my last 4, only losing in an exhibition fight. I have to fight for the belt. @danawhite I am ready.

Justin Gaethje via X (@Justin_Gaethje)

With his and Islam Makhachev sharing the same manager in Ali Abdelaziz, a title push might just transpire. Top brass also supported his stake in calling a shot, during the UFC 313 post-fight conference interviews.

Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje

Topuria has had psychotic leaps in fame and fandom, much like double-division aspirant and gradual champ Conor McGregor. The Alicante-Georgian has multiple nations rallying behind his UFC title campaign.

He met the president, got ovations at the Super Bowl LVIII Radio Row, and did a celebrity kickoff at the Real Madrid vs. Sevilla game. So, it’s a natural choice if he can get the momentum going at 155 pounds.

Ilia Topuria has competitors in the mix for lightweight title
Ilia Topuria has competitors in the mix for lightweight title (Source: X)

If the brass opts for a top contender scrapper for Islam Makhachev’s gold, Ilia Topuria would be a greater hit due to his marketability. There’s also the factor of a stylistic European striker vs. a Dagestani goliath in a mega PPV matchup. Another factor that puts Gaethje behind is his history against others. If Holloway doesn’t inherit the sweet sweepstakes of a Dustin Poirier last dance, a Gaethje vs. Holloway rematch would be roof-shattering.

The lightweight contender would have no lack of talent vying to defeat him for top contender spot, now that he is on the “W” column. Since Makhachev wants him too, he’d be a stepping ladder. It does not close the chances for UFC brass to give Gaethje a third crack at the title. But there are avenues where Topuria makes a better case. The upcoming weeks will tell where the pieces fall after this.

Related: Justin Gaethje breaks silence as unseen disturbing footage of UFC’s ‘greatest knockout’ surfaces: “Die by the sword”