Internet goes wild as Team Khamzat Chimaev drops shocking news on Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria

News drop in of Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev UFC lightweight title fight, with Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis as possible co-main.

Internet goes wild as Team Khamzat Chimaev drops shocking news on Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev news drops in, with Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis as co-mains (Source: IMAGO)

No matter if there is a deficit or overflow of names to headline numbered UFC pay-per-view events in the future, ‘what-if’ fights remain. Consequently, sometimes, those what-if scenarios come close to being true and excite the MMA fandom.

Two such pairings are now close to contention, per reports. One – a super fight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. Two – an explosive barnburner between Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis for a possible co-main!

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Ilia Topuria is vacating his 145-pound strap at UFC 314 PPV for a move vs. Islam Makhachev whom he has ranged for almost a year. Meanwhile, the Chechen Wolf has long had his promise for gold. He and current 185-pound belt-holder Dricus Du Plessis have often doused challenges at each other.

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Now, talent manager and close friend Rassoul Chamsoudinov (🎥: LaCultureMMA) stated that the Emirati Khamzat Chiamev will return for such a matchup on the same night as Topuria and Makhachev.

Some UFC/MMA situations just need fulfillment. But some are ‘the’ fight to make on a skill-to-skill level and both are it. UFC 155-pound champ Islam Makhachev is the promotion’s No.1 Pound-for-pound fighter.

His array of skills ranges from his slick submission to his standup work that even gave Dustin Poirier a run for his money. Club Climente (Spain) camp says UFC’s current best boxer, “El Matador,” has untested grappling, which made this the test to make.

Additionally, Du Plessis has been welcoming an opportunity against explosive scrambler Chimaev for long. ‘Borz’ went through perennial middleweight Robert Whittaker via first-round submission (face crank) in the UFC 308 PPV co-main.

Fight fans in disbelief over super fight hint

Still undefeated, Khamzat Chiamev matches his energy on the mic with his explosive lean-ins. Coupled with Dricus Du Plessis’ awkward style and run of lineal title defense, the duo have been the perfect stiff test for each other at the 185-pound mark.

Fans react to possible Ilia Topuria 155lb title shot against Islam Makhachev
Fans react to possible Ilia Topuria 155lb title shot against Islam Makhachev (Source: X)

Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria has long awaited a second belt; he and his camp have teased that a shift to 155 was in short order to match his natural hydration. Skill-to-skill, even bigger weight fighters laud Topuria’s power to get the job done. He could be the perfect deterrent to Islam Makhachev. Hence, the news that these two fights might happen have opened the floodgates on many responses.

“Borz” is a big hit in Abu Dhabi DCT/Saudi GEA combat capital cards. So, some have speculated on whether or not this is an Abu Dhabi/IFW card. The logistics of it and the locale are still a bit murky to have two Islamic fighters worthy of headliners on the same stack. There’s also the fact that Du Plessis vs. Chimaev is a headliner in its own right.

Some have expressed doubts that Makhachev has been reluctant to give the former 145-pounder a chance. However, with the draw power and nations rallying behind him, it is highly unlikely Topuria would relinquish his belt for just top contender matchups. Even recently, he revealed a big tease incoming; this might just be it.

Odds and tidbits to know before the fight

Islam Makhachev is on a long run at lightweight and recently submitted Renato Moicano atop the UFC 311 PPV main event. He has a historic amount of title defenses and a 15-fight streak like no other. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria is fresh off a UFC featherweight maiden defense over Max Holloway; before that, he swept through a former #1 Pound-for-pound. Per opening odds at BetOnline.ag sportsbooks, though, ‘El Matador’ is a sizable underdog at +220.

Khamzat Chimaev, Dricus Du Plessis, and other odds to know after news leak
Khamzat Chimaev, Dricus Du Plessis, and other odds to know after news leak (Source: X)

Makhachev is a 1/2 fighter who has never been low on the money line in all his fights. He douses more advantages in skills, height, and reach. Similarly, despite camp issues, per SportsBetting.ag, Khamzat Chiamev is a moderate -200 betting fave to beat Dricus Du Plesiss. ‘Stillknocks’ is fresh off another title defense win in a PPV rematch with Sean Strickland. He considers a victory over someone like Chimaev would make him a true 185-pound GOAT.

Related: Khamzat Chimaev warned about health risks as Dricus du Plessis reserves title shot after UFC 312