Can Ilia Topuria Conquer Lightweight Makhachev and Title Shot Hopes

Ilia Topuria has taken the featherweight division by storm, but the burning question remains can he carry that dominance into the lightweight division With speculation about a potential move up in weight, fans are already fantasizing about matchups against the division elite, including Islam Makhachev But does Topuria truly have what it takes to dethrone the lightweight king and secure a title shot

The Unstoppable Rise of Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria has blazed through the featherweight rankings with a combination of ferocious knockout power high-level grappling and unshakable confidence His undefeated record and ruthless finishing ability have made him one of the most feared contenders in the UFC With wins over elite competition Topuria has already cemented his place as a title contender in the featherweight division

However with bigger challenges awaiting and the allure of becoming a two-division champion Topuria has hinted at testing the waters at lightweight a division stacked with monsters The question is whether his skills will translate effectively against bigger and stronger opponents

A Move to Lightweight Pros and Cons

Moving up in weight has been a double-edged sword for many fighters While some like Conor McGregor and Alexander Volkanovski have found success, others have struggled against the size and strength of the division’s natural lightweights

For Topuria a move to 155 pounds presents both opportunities and challenges

More power and speed His natural explosiveness could make him a serious knockout threat

Less weight cut stress Cutting to 145 lbs is brutal at 155, he could fight fresher and stronger

Facing bigger opponents Fighters like Islam Makhachev Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje are physically imposing

Elite wrestlers await Unlike featherweight the lightweight division has more dominant grapplers including the champion Makhachev

Topuria would need to adjust his style to deal with stronger opponents and more tactical challenges His striking and submission skills are impressive but he must develop a game plan that neutralizes the power and wrestling dominance of top lightweight fighters

Can Topuria Handle Makhachev Wrestling

Islam Makhachev has established himself as one of the most dominant champions in MMA with a Dagestani grappling style that has suffocated the division’s top fighters The biggest question surrounding Topuria’s move to lightweight is

Can he stop Makhachev relentless takedowns

Topuria is no slouch on the ground he has a strong submission game and is a high-level BJJ black belt But against Makhachev’s chain wrestling and top control, many great grapplers have crumbled If Topuria can keep the fight standing, he has the power and precision to land devastating strikes

However history favors the grapplers and Makhachev is arguably the best in the game

Path to a Lightweight Title Shot

If Topuria wants a shot at gold in the lightweight division, he must earn his way through the division killers A few possible paths

Topuria vs Charles Oliveira A high-stakes showdown against a former champion with lethal jiu-jitsu

Topuria vs Justin Gaethje A fan favorite war that would test Topuria’s chin and cardio

Topuria vs Arman Tsarukyan A battle against one of the most well-rounded lightweights in the UFC

Topuria vs Dustin Poirier A fight that could skyrocket him to a title shot

If Topuria can win one or two big fights at 155 pounds, a date with Makhachev could be inevitable

Tactical Adjustments for Lightweight Success

Moving up a weight class means adjusting training and fighting strategy At featherweight Topuria could overpower opponents with speed and explosiveness At lightweight he will be dealing with fighters who hit harder and have better takedown defense

To succeed at 155 pounds Topuria will need to

Improve takedown defense Against elite wrestlers like Makhachev and Tsarukyan he must sharpen his sprawling skills and footwork

Increase cardio endurance Lightweight fights are often high-paced wars lasting five rounds He needs to train for longer battles

Develop fight IQ Instead of relying on brute force, he must learn to outthink opponents and create openings

Fine-tune striking combinations Lightweight fighters have better boxing defense and counterpunching than featherweights He must be more precise with his shots

A successful transition to lightweight requires not just skill but strategy If Topuria can adapt he has the potential to shock the world

Will Topuria Become a Two-Division Champion

Ilia Topuria has all the tools to be a superstar but the lightweight division is unforgiving If he can successfully transition to 155 pounds, outstrike the division elite, and prove his wrestling is up to the challenge, he could become the UFC’s next double champion

However if he rushes into a fight with Makhachev without preparing for the grind he could suffer the same fate as others who underestimated Dagestani dominance

The lightweight division is filled with killers but Topuria’s confidence and skill set make him a serious threat If he carefully chooses his path and works on his weaknesses, he could very well be the next champion at 155 pounds

So will Topuria rise to the occasion and make history or will the lightweight division expose his limits