“Do What You’re Told” – Ilia Topuria Shows Levels to Islam Makhachev after ex-Champ’s Welterweight Move

Islam Makhachev is the target of a scathing critique from Ilia Topuria, who fights for the vacant 155-pound title, despite multiple rejections.

“Do What You’re Told” – Ilia Topuria Shows Levels to Islam Makhachev after ex-Champ’s Welterweight Move

Ilia Topuria disses Islam Makhachev (Source: IMAGO/X)

Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev are on very different courses right now. The Spaniard relinquished his UFC 145-pound title to challenge Makhachev. But the Dagestani has had similar plans and vacated for a welterweight move. Now, Topuria fights for that vacant lightweight title in the June 28 PPV main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and caps off International Fight Week.

Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev was possibly one of the biggest missed what-if PPV title super fights. It was also quite the bankable scenario given Makhachev is the pound-for-pound king, and “El Matador” has had insurmountable star power.

However, Makhachev was highly dismissive of him not being worth much as a challenger, only for him to contend for his vacant strap later. It’s something that the Spanish-Georgian star his now firing off in full force.

They tried to make it seem important. Is that their attitude, like they invented the sport, you know? And it’s, guys, sit back, enjoy your sun wherever you are, and do what you’re told to do. When they said that, I was like, what are they making up? …You know? There are two days until everything comes out, they’re talking, but everyone is going to realize the truth, and look what happened: …No, ‘Ilia has to fight a fight to get the world championship fight. He’s moved up, he’s given up the title’, …and [now] I’m fighting directly for the belt.

Ilia Topuria in UFC 317 pre-fight media interview to ESPN Deportes (🎥: @ESPNDeportes)

Team Islam Makhachev presented that Topuria was unheralded as of yet as a roster lightweight. It would also drive up the weight bully claims, with Makhachev opting for a scrapper versus yet another former and/or current featherweight. Topuria has had only one 155-pound ballot fight before this: a second-round KO of Jai Herbert in a 2022 UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall main card opener.

It was also to be a stiff skills test with Climent Club saying Ilia Topuria had untested grappling, that might be even better than his crisp standup. It drove up a proper pound-for-pound bargain to make this super fight.

However, it’s bye-bye Makhachev for now; Topuria, never one to hold back and oozing with resolve, is projecting a smooth sailing at lightweight from now on. But, there are others in the wing rather than Makhachev, waiting for a piece of him.

Max Holloway teases a rematch with the winner of UFC 317 after Dustin Poirier trilogy

The champ does what the champ wants, and if the “BMF” champ can hold on to his silver, he wants to run things back with Ilia Topuria. Max Holloway, whom the Spaniard sent packing to lightweight hydration limits, has his next assignment at the UFC 318 PPV main event.

Ilia Topuria has challenges waiting at lightweight
Ilia Topuria has challenges waiting at lightweight (Source: X)

The UFC’s BMF champion was downed the first time when Ilia Topuria knocked off his socks at UFC 308, last October. Holloway thus failed to become a two-time UFC featherweight champion, contending against Topuria, and is also 0-2 against Poirier. Hence, this is a vital test by far. However, he still has Topuria in his mind and is not one to shy away from a rematch, if possible.

I know this is Dustin’s retirement fight, but his last fight was for a title, …I still have title contentions in my mind and a couple weeks before us, there’s a title fight at 155. I got history with both men, … At the end of the day, I go out there, I do my thing. I make a statement. I get a statement win.

Max Holloway via his Official YT Channel

Holloway, who KO’ed top crop Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 last year, stands among the convoluted 155-pound talents. Holloway also has a history with both Topuria and Charles Oliveira. They are the two men fighting for the vacant UFC 155-pound gold in the main event of UFC 317.

Oliveira suffered a first-round TKO loss to “Blessed” at 145-pound limits back in 2015. The loss was due to a freak neck injury. If things go to plan, Holloway could end up rematching his old rivals for the chance to become a double champion.

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