Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria’s Double Champion Moment Because of Injury to One Fighter, Says Dillon Danis

Dillon Danis reveals how a butterfly effect in the UFC influenced two divisional championship win's of Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria.

Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria’s Double Champion Moment Because of Injury to One Fighter, Says Dillon Danis

Dillon Danis' admission about Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria's success (via Yahoo Sports, Bloody Elbow)

Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria remain two of the UFC’s recent divisional champions with major title storylines. Topuria is recovering after losing his lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250. Makhachev will make his first welterweight title defense at UFC 330 against Ian Garry. However, Dillon Danis has presented a wild butterfly-effect theory about the current UFC landscape.

Makhachev moved up to welterweight and captured the title with a dominant performance against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. Topuria also moved up from featherweight and knocked out former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. That victory earned ‘El Matador’ the lightweight title Makhachev had previously vacated.

Shavkat Rakhmonov remains one of the UFC’s few undefeated fighters, while also formerly holding a 100% finishing rate across his professional career. However, a recurring knee injury has sidelined the Kazakh fighter since his 2024 decision win over Garry. Danis recently discussed how Rakhmonov’s injury sparked one of the UFC’s wildest championship sagas.

It’s crazy how one man’s injury changed the whole trajectory of the sport. If Shavkat Rakhmonov doesn’t blow his knee out, Islam doesn’t move up, Justin never becomes champion, Ilia might not have a second belt, JDM doesn’t get a championship, Ian Garry wouldn’t be fighting for a belt, and so much more. What a sport!

Dillon Danis via X

According to Danis, Rakhmonov’s injury also influenced Justin Gaethje finally winning the undisputed lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250. Gaethje defeated Topuria by fourth-round TKO after a brutal fight at the White House. Topuria suffered severe facial damage, with his corner stopping the fight after the fourth round.

Rakhmonov was positioned as the 170-pound division’s top challenger before his recurring knee injury forced him out of competition. The prolonged inactivity not only sidelined him but also pushed him out of the UFC’s official rankings. Despite his status as an undefeated contender, there is currently no set timeline for Rakhmonov’s return to competition.

Danis has never shied away from undermining Makhachev and his team, with their rivalry beginning at the infamous UFC 229 brawl. Makhachev followed Khabib Nurmagomedov into the crowd and punched ‘El Jefe’, who was standing in Conor McGregor’s corner. That incident marked the beginning of the long-running tension between Danis and Makhachev’s team.

The tension resurfaced at UFC 322 when Danis became involved in a crowd brawl with Makhachev’s teammates. Danis had also been showing explicit AI-generated videos involving the welterweight champion before the confrontation. Magomed ‘Chanco’ Zaynukov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov were among those involved before security intervened.

With Shavkat Rakhmonov’s injury setting off a chain of major changes, Dillon Danis’ theory connects several unexpected title developments.

Islam Makhachev’s move to welterweight and Justin Gaethje’s rise at lightweight remain key outcomes. As ‘Nomad’ continues his recovery without a confirmed return date, the full impact of his absence remains significant.

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UFC welterweight contender remains confident in Islam Makhachev securing the victory at UFC 330

Islam Makhachev heads into UFC 330 confident of making his first welterweight title defense against Ian Garry. The Irish contender presents a unique challenge, standing 6-foot-3 and holding a six-year age advantage over Makhachev. Garry is 28, while the reigning champion is 34 heading into their welterweight clash.

Garry remains confident that he presents Makhachev with the toughest challenge of his UFC career. The Irishman has acknowledged Makhachev’s strengths while highlighting the unique problems his size, range, and skill set could create. Garry believes those advantages can make the welterweight title fight a difficult test for the reigning champion.

Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev (via The Ring Magazine)

Makhachev has repeatedly brushed aside the challenges presented by Garry ahead of their UFC 330 title fight. The Dagestani champion has predicted that the bout will not go beyond three rounds, expecting a dominant finish.

Welterweight contender Sean Brady has also weighed in, believing Garry does not stand a chance against Makhachev.

Ian is definitely a big guy, but he isn’t going to put you out in one shot. The moment Islam gets his hands on him, expect him to make it one-way traffic and Ian will get out of there pretty quick.

Sean brady via Home Of Fight

Brady was previously against Makhachev moving to welterweight, believing the Dagestani champion could hold up the division while pursuing superfights. However, his latest assessment shows how strongly he favors Islam Makhachev against Ian Garry. The UFC 330 matchup will ultimately determine whether ‘The Future’ can challenge those expectations.

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