Dana White recently teased the possibility of a future Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria matchup. Though both compete in different weight classes, the UFC CEO described a scenario where their paths could cross.
Makhachev and Topuria had been linked to a potential superfight for months. After El Matador vacated his featherweight title earlier this year, fans speculated that the fight would materialize. It looked like both were heading on a collision course and headline UFC 317, which capped off International Fight Week.
Plans shifted when Jack Della Maddalena won the welterweight championship at UFC 315, changing the landscape of two divisions. The result opened the door for Makhachev, who had previously ruled out fighting Belal Muhammad when he was champion. With that obstacle gone, he had a clear path to becoming a two-division champion.
Makhachev seized the opportunity, vacating his lightweight championship. That led to Topuria fighting Charles Oliveira for the vacant title instead. Despite the shake-up, White hasn’t shut the door on a potential Makhachev vs. Topuria bout.
“Another massive fight would be Ilia vs. Islam, too,” White said on FULL SEND PODCAST. “Islam moves up, and obviously if Islam won the [welterweight] title, you immediately have a superfight with him and Ilia…I don’t like hypothetical. These are options that we have if things play out that way, but you never know what’s going to happen.”
Ilia Topuria Shares Thoughts on Islam Makhachev Fight Failing to Materialize
Topuria recently shared his honest thoughts on the failed matchup with Makhachev. He believes that the former lightweight champion moved up to welterweight rather than fighting him to protect his legacy.
Before his fight against Oliveira, Topuria spoke with TMZ Sports and claimed that Makhachev didn’t want to take the risk. He pointed to his recent knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway as reasons for the Dagestani’s hesitation.
“My real goal always was Islam, but since he decided to run away, it has to be Charles,” Topuria said to TMZ Sports. “[Makhachev] knows that I’m dangerous. He knows that I’m gonna put him to sleep. Even Khabib [Nurmagomedov knows]. The only reason they don’t want me to fight against him, because they know that I’m gonna beat him.”
Makhachev’s Former Opponent Favors Topuria in Potential Superfight
Renato Moicano, who fought Makhachev in his final lightweight title defense, recently shared his prediction for a potential superfight. Despite being submitted by the Dagestani, Moicano said he would favor Topuria.
In his recent appearance on MMA TODAY, Moicano said that Topuria would have the edge over Makhachev. He also explained what the significance of a potential win would be for El Matador’s legacy.
“I think Topuria would beat [Makhachev]. That’s my opinion, that’s what I think. I hope [the] UFC lets him move up [to welterweight] and fight [Makhachev]; that would be amazing. Moicano said to MMA TODAY. “I think if [Topuria becomes three-division UFC champion], he would be the greatest of all time. So, it’s a great time to be alive and to be a UFC fan.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Dana White Hints at Potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria “Superfight” appeared first on Heavy Sports.