Islam Makhachev won’t be happy with Joe Rogan after UFC commentator’s latest proposal: “Who cares!”
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is wishing for an Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria banger with the lightweight title on the line.
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Joe Rogan wishes upon Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria super fight (Source: IMAGO)
The question remains as to what the next UFC lightweight and featherweight title fights will be. For Joe Rogan, it’s a no-brainer. The reigning UFC 155-pound champ Islam Makhachev might not like what Rogan had to say. After all, the champion has stated that he does not want to fight featherweights anymore! Enter Rogan’s pitch: Current 145-pound titleholder Ilia Topuria.
Ilia Topuria and his team have initiated talks for a move up to 155. Per the team, “El Matador” just hydrates better one above. However, Islam Makhachev does not want to give chances to little ‘145’ guys anymore; he has his own double-championship path at 170/185. Like a crazed fan, the JRE host revealed what matchups need to happen right away.
As crazy as it sounds, I hope Ilia goes up to 55. I really do, …Volkanovski-Diego Lopes [at] 45, …Ilia goes up to 55. I don’t care if he only defended the one time or didn’t. Who cares? Let’s go. Let’s f*cking go…Yeah, it’d be nice [more defenses at 145] — But also who cares? Let’s go. Let’s f*cking go…
Joe Rogan on UFC 312 JRE ‘Fight Companion’ – February 8, 2025 – PowerfulJRE (@joerogan)
During a plethora of other topics, guest Matt Serra suggested Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) should defend his 145-pound title a few more times. Joe Rogan dismissed the notion for the dream super fight. He wants Alexander Volkanovski and surging featherweight Diego Lopes to meet for the 145-pound title. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria meets the dominant Dagestani for a double-champion bid.
Makhachev is fresh off a submission win over late-replacement Renato Moicano at UFC 311 PPV event headliner. He defeated Moicano via D’Arce choke to defend his gold. However, he doesn’t want to fight former featherweights in his title defenses anymore. As such, Rogan’s dream matchup might anger the Dagestani superstar.
Michael Bisping won’t rule out Ilia Topuria’s chances vs. Islam Makhachev
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria looks to move up to challenge for the lightweight title. The Spaniard even doused some challenges to Charles Oliveira for the spot of No. 1 seed for 155-pound gold if he can reach there. Topuria has been dominant over top pound-for-pound fighters and naturally hydrates at a higher level. But lightweight is a different ball game and a convoluted talent pool.
There, if he does get through, he meets the promotion’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) has also produced dominant results. On a 15-fight win streak and title win stats that even surpass the legendary lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev is just different. UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping likes Ilia Topuria’s chances though.
Ilia Topuria, what he’s been able to do, what he’s achieved in such a short space – so impressed. The same with Islam. Islam is incredible…But on the flip side, Ilia is a smaller guy, though…The man said what he’s going to do right from the beginning, changed his bio to champion of the world. He’s knocking out everybody, and apparently he’s even better at wrestling than he is at boxing.
Michael Bisping to Denis Shkuratov for the ‘Submission Radio’ Show for SBNation Network (🎥: @SubmissionRadio on YT)
Topuria is coming off back-to-back dominations of Volkanovski and Max Holloway. These performances have catapulted the current featherweight champion the role of UFC’s best crisp boxer. But Topuria and Co. tout that he is equally good at ground games. Bisping thinks Topuria’s well-rounded skill display could make it happen in this fight – despite the size disparity!
Related: Joe Rogan questions UFC 311 moment that could have kept Team Khabib legacy intact
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