Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria: Must-Have Fight for UFC Lightweight Title

In the world of MMA, clashes between champions from different weight classes always make for historic fights, drawing attention from both experts and fans alike. One of the most anticipated matchups today is the showdown between Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, and Ilia Topuria, the featherweight champion, who is now eyeing a second belt.

With both fighters at their peak, this fight is more than just a title bout—it could become one of the biggest events in UFC history. Will Topuria make history and become a two-division champion? Or will Makhachev continue his dominance in the lightweight division?

Ilia Topuria: The Path to a Second Championship

Featherweight Domination

Ilia Topuria has quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC’s featherweight division. He remains undefeated with 16 consecutive victories, including impressive wins over top contenders like Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway.

Topuria’s fighting style is a perfect blend of devastating striking and solid grappling. His knockout power and ability to control the pace of a fight have proven that he is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport today.

Moving Up to Lightweight: A Bold Decision

After successfully defending his featherweight title, Topuria announced that he would vacate his belt to move up to lightweight. This was a bold but logical move, as he had already proven that he had no equal in his former weight class.

“I’ve conquered the featherweight division. Now it’s time to challenge myself at lightweight and become a two-division champion.” – Ilia Topuria.

However, moving up in weight is never an easy task. Topuria will have to face opponents who are naturally bigger, stronger, and more accustomed to the physical demands of the lightweight division. More importantly, he will have to deal with the elite wrestling skills of the current champion, Islam Makhachev.

Islam Makhachev: The Lightweight King

The Perfect Successor to Khabib Nurmagomedov

As the star pupil of MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev has not only inherited his mentor’s fighting style but has arguably taken it to an even higher level. Since capturing the UFC lightweight title in 2022, Makhachev has defended his belt against elite fighters like Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Beneil Dariush.

With exceptional wrestling skills and ever-improving striking, Makhachev has cemented his dominance in the lightweight division. Currently ranked as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC, he stands as the undisputed king of the division.

“I’m ready to fight anyone. If Ilia Topuria thinks he can beat me, let him step into the octagon and prove it.” – Islam Makhachev.

How Does Makhachev View Topuria?

Although Topuria is a highly skilled fighter, many analysts believe that he has yet to face a grappler of Makhachev’s caliber. Meanwhile, the lightweight champion has already defeated some of the best strikers in the sport, such as Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira.

One of Makhachev’s biggest advantages is his ability to dictate the pace of the fight and force opponents into grappling exchanges—an area where Topuria has never truly been tested at an elite level.

“Topuria is talented, but the lightweight division is a completely different world. He has never faced a wrestler like me.” – Islam Makhachev.

A Dream Fight for UFC Fans

Fighting Styles: Who Has the Edge?

The fight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria will be a fascinating clash of contrasting styles:

• Makhachev will aim to close the distance, dominate with wrestling, and look for a submission finish.
• Topuria will try to keep the fight standing, use his striking to inflict damage, and search for a knockout opportunity.

The biggest question is: Can Topuria stop Makhachev’s takedowns? If he cannot defend against the Dagestani’s wrestling, he will likely be taken down and put in a difficult position.

However, if Topuria can maintain distance and land clean shots, he has the power to pull off a massive upset.

What’s at stake for both fighters?

• For Makhachev, this is an opportunity to solidify his dominance and continue building his legacy under the Nurmagomedov name.
• For Topuria, this is a chance to make history by becoming a two-division champion, joining the ranks of legends like Conor McGregor and Daniel Cormier.

Will This Fight Actually Happen?

As of now, the UFC has not officially announced the Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria bout, but given the hype surrounding it, there is a strong possibility that this fight will headline a major UFC event in 2025.

UFC President Dana White has hinted at his interest in making the fight happen:

“If Topuria is ready to move up to lightweight, we’ll make this fight happen.” – Dana White.

However, there are still some key questions to be answered before the fight can be finalized:

1. Should Topuria have a test fight at lightweight before challenging for the title?
2. Is Makhachev willing to defend his title against a featherweight moving up?
3. Will the UFC be willing to take a risk on this blockbuster matchup?

Prediction: Who Will Win?

Predicting the outcome of this fight is no easy task. If Islam Makhachev can impose his wrestling and control the fight, he will likely win by submission or dominant decision. However, if Ilia Topuria can keep the fight standing and land his powerful strikes, he has a real chance of scoring a shocking knockout.

Regardless of the outcome, this fight promises to be one of the biggest events in UFC history. With millions of fans eagerly awaiting an official announcement, all eyes are now on the UFC to see if they will book this ultimate showdown.

“I am ready for any challenge. If the UFC wants this fight, let’s make it happen.” – Ilia Topuria.

Whether or not this fight takes place in 2025, one thing is certain: The lightweight division is about to get even more exciting.