Ilia Topuria’s ‘Spy’ Caught? The Truth Behind Islam Makhachev’s Viral Video!

Islam Makhachev is known as a silent killer in the octagon, a fighter who dominates with elite wrestling and suffocating grappling. His technical brilliance allows him to neutralize even the most dangerous opponents with ease. However, outside the cage, he is also famous for his dry humor, which often catches fans and fellow fighters off guard. The UFC lightweight champion has built a reputation not only for his technical skills but also for his unexpected comedic timing, which has led to some of the most memorable moments in MMA interviews.

The Viral Advice That Sparked a Real-Life Journey

One of the best examples of this was when he appeared alongside Daniel Cormier and jokingly gave him advice on how to raise a child to become an elite wrestler. Makhachev told Cormier that if he wanted his son to develop top-level wrestling skills, he should send him to Dagestan for two or three years and simply forget about him. The comment went viral, sparking discussions and laughter across the MMA community. Fans found it both amusing and insightful, as Dagestan is well known for producing some of the best combat athletes in the world. Many joked that if this were true, they would consider sending their own children to Dagestan for training.

A Young Fighter Takes Makhachev’s Words Literally

While most people took his words as a joke, a young fighter from Spain, named Gonzalo Martin, took the advice seriously. He packed his bags and traveled to Dagestan, hoping to train under the legendary system that has produced champions like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev himself. Martin, a dedicated martial artist, wanted to test himself in one of the toughest training environments in the world. His journey quickly gained attention on social media, with many fans praising his dedication and courage.

A Shocking Connection to Ilia Topuria

The story took an unexpected twist when Martin was later discovered to have ties to Ilia Topuria, the rising UFC featherweight star. Pictures surfaced online showing that Martin had previously trained with Topuria, raising suspicions about his true intentions in Dagestan. Given the brewing rivalry between Makhachev and Topuria, fans began speculating that Martin was a spy sent by Topuria’s camp to gather information on Team Khabib’s training methods. Some believed it was purely a coincidence, while others suggested that Topuria was playing mind games, trying to get an inside look at the training system that had produced Makhachev.

Islam Makhachev Puts the ‘Spy’ to the Test

Adding fuel to the fire, a viral video posted by Saygid Izagakhmaev, a close member of Team Khabib, showed Islam Makhachev testing his new choking techniques on Martin during a grappling session. The caption read, “Islam just found out he trains with Topuria.” The video quickly spread across the MMA world, making fans even more curious about the possibility of a future fight between Makhachev and Topuria. Many wondered if this was just friendly training or if Makhachev was sending a message to Topuria, warning him about what would happen if they ever met in the octagon.

Should Ilia Topuria Get a Lightweight Title Shot?

Despite the growing hype, Makhachev has shown little interest in fighting Topuria at 155 pounds. The lightweight champion has stated that Topuria must first prove himself in the lightweight division before earning a shot at the title. Makhachev has already defeated Alexander Volkanovski twice, and taking on another featherweight contender could invite criticism. Khabib Nurmagomedov has also voiced concerns, stating that such a fight would be unfair to true lightweight contenders who have been waiting for their chance. Fighters like Arman Tsarukyan, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje have all been competing in the division for years, and many believe they deserve the next title shot more than Topuria.

Michael Bisping Warns Dana White About Missing a Big Opportunity

While Makhachev remains firm in his stance, former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has a different perspective. In a recent video, Bisping cautioned that not booking Topuria vs. Makhachev could result in a huge missed opportunity for the UFC. He pointed out that Ilia Topuria has a fast-rising fan base and has the potential to become a UFC superstar, much like Conor McGregor. Bisping argued that the UFC should capitalize on this momentum and book the fight while both fighters are at the peak of their popularity.

Could Makhachev vs. Topuria Rival McGregor vs. Khabib?

Veteran journalist Kevin Iole also believes that a fight between Topuria and Makhachev could be one of the biggest non-Gregor matchups in UFC history. He compared it to UFC 229, which generated $180 million from 2.4 million pay-per-view sales when Khabib faced McGregor. If properly promoted, Makhachev vs. Topuria could attract a massive audience and generate a record-breaking pay-per-view event. With the Spanish and Georgian fanbases rallying behind Topuria and Makhachev carrying the support of Dagestan and Russia, the fight could become a global spectacle.

Topuria’s Rising Star vs. Makhachev’s Legacy

As Ilia Topuria continues to build his brand, with his distinctive personality and fighting style, he is positioning himself as a major UFC attraction. Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev, following in the footsteps of Khabib Nurmagomedov, remains a dominant and disciplined champion who is focused on defending his title against the best in his division. While some believe Topuria is not yet ready for Makhachev, others argue that his undefeated record and recent performances prove that he can challenge anyone.

Will the UFC Book This Mega Fight?

The question now is whether Dana White and the UFC will take advantage of the moment and set up this high-stakes showdown. With both fighters at the peak of their popularity, the potential fight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria could be one of the biggest matchups of the year. Fans around the world are waiting to see if this rivalry will finally explode inside the Octagon. Whether it happens soon or not, one thing is clear: the tension between Makhachev and Topuria is growing, and when they finally meet, it will be a fight to remember.