Islam Makhachev Told to ‘Get in Line’ as Ilia Topuria Strips P4P King off Privileges
UFC lightweight title contender Ilia Topuria shuts down pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev's chances to get an immediate 155-pound title fight.

Ilia Topuria will have Islam Makhachev wait for the lightweight title shot (via Imago)
The heated rivalry between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Instead, it’s increasing the personal rivalry day by day. Topuria’s ultimate dream was to fight the Dagestani for the lightweight championship and end his dominant invincibility in the MMA community. Now, with Makhachev’s title vacation, the dynamics of this grudge match-up have certainly changed and taken a new turn.
After Makhachev announced his move to the welterweight division, Topuria mocked the fighter for running away from him completely. In response, Makhachev reminded the Georgian-Spanish star of his achievements inside the octagon and hinted at a potential future fight. However, recently at the WOW 19: Alicante press conference, ‘El Matador’ shut down Makhachev’s call-out for an immediate fight.
You know, from the beginning, he wanted to give the impression that he had some sort of decision…and I said before that I didn’t move up to lightweight to ask anyone for anything and that I was in charge. So, who got their way, who did what they said?…so, after this fight when I have the belt, he can get in line, which is a long one.
Makhachev’s decision to move up was due to Jack Della Maddalena‘s convincing victory against Belal Muhammad at the UFC 315 PPV event. The pound-for-pound king has always talked about winning a second belt and writing his name among UFC’s all-time greats. If he wins, the fighter must face top contenders of a stacked welterweight division, but that doesn’t exclude fighting Topuria eventually.
Ilia Topuria says Islam Makhachev has to 'get in line' if he wants to fight him after he wins the lightweight title 😬
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 18, 2025
"After this fight when I have the belt, he can get in line, which is a long one."
🎥 @KOlmeneroMMA #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/gatm0ZziKk
Their personal rivalry has come to a point where fans have never seen Makhachev’s trash talk and it needs settling inside the octagon. However, before that, both Makhachev and Topuria need to achieve the tough task of beating heavier and more seasoned fighters. While Topuria is a major favorite against Charles Oliveira, doubts still remain regarding Makhachev’s chances against JDM.
As Topuria mentioned, the line for the lightweight title shot is long, consisting of tough competitors such as Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett, and Arman Tsarukyan. If Makhachev beats Della Maddalena, he can definitely move down to finish his rivalry with Topuria. On the other hand, the Georgian-Spanish star can also move up, given his dream of becoming a three-division champion.
Did Ilia Topuria receive strong promotional support from the UFC?
Ilia Topuria’s journey in the UFC has been marked by rapid dominance, thrilling performances, and an undefeated record. Making history, he spectacularly dethroned Alexander Volkanovski, showcasing elite skill and determination at the highest level of competition. Moreover, his rise somewhat mirrors the rise of Conor McGregor in the 2010s.

He later shocked everyone by knocking Max Holloway out, something never done before inside an MMA octagon. This further solidified his legacy as a generational MMA talent. However, throughout the journey, Topuria has made rivals, and one of them is the growing lightweight prospect, Paddy Pimblett. In a recent interview with TNT Sports, the UK native shared his honest opinion on Topuria’s rapid UFC rise.
He has done a lot in the sport, but I do still think he’s been hand-fed opponents. Holloway had just been fighting at 155lbs, had a war with Gaethje. Volk had just been knocked out like two months earlier…Josh Emmett was like 37. Bryce, as much as I love Bryce, we know he’s not a striker.
The notion that Topuria had it easy remains a promotional tactic by Pimblett to promote a future superfight if they both keep winning. Pimblett’s career also had relatively easy matchups, which include an aging Tony Ferguson and Bobby Green in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Pimblett is also undefeated in the UFC, and recently beat another aging contender in Michael Chandler via TKO at UFC 314. His rivalry with Topuria is old, beginning in a hotel lobby confrontation and steadily intensifying through years of tension and exchanges. The UK fighter believes he’s next in line for the lightweight belt if Topuria defeats Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 event.
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