Makhachev Drops Bombshell Hint on Lightweight Clash With Topuria

The UFC world has been buzzing with speculation ever since Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira in devastating fashion at UFC 317 to claim the lightweight title. Many fans and analysts immediately turned their attention toward the possibility of a dream matchup between Topuria and former lightweight king Islam Makhachev, who vacated his belt earlier in the year after moving up to welterweight. Now, recent comments from Makhachev have added fuel to the fire, hinting that a potential clash with Topuria may not be too far off.

Islam Makhachev’s Transition to Welterweight

After years of dominance at lightweight, where he became the record holder for title defenses in the 155-pound division, Makhachev made the bold decision to move up to welterweight. This shift was largely due to the grueling weight cuts he faced as his body continued to grow and mature. Ahead of his upcoming bout at UFC 322 against Jack Della Maddalena, Makhachev revealed some surprising details about his current size.

“Before my last training camp I was [183-185 lbs],” Makhachev explained. “In this training camp, following my diet, my weight went up to 86.5 kg (190.5 lbs) yesterday. I think we can already say I’m at the optimal weight, where I feel comfortable training with welterweights.”

For Makhachev, the move to 170 pounds has clearly allowed him to train without the same kind of stress he experienced at lightweight. Instead of being forced into extreme weight cuts, he now feels stronger and healthier during his camps. However, his comments also suggest that he hasn’t fully closed the door on a return to lightweight, especially if the right fight presents itself.

No Plans for Middleweight

While some fans had speculated that Makhachev could eventually test himself at middleweight, especially after Khamzat Chimaev captured the belt from Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319, Islam dismissed those rumors outright.

“I have no plans to gain more weight,” he clarified. “It might go up, maximum two kilograms.”

This statement indicates that Makhachev is not interested in pushing his body beyond what feels natural. At most, he may hover slightly above 190 lbs in training, but competing at 185 seems out of the question. For now, his focus remains solely on welterweight — and potentially a return to lightweight if the opportunity is too big to ignore.

The Weight Cut Question

The biggest obstacle for Makhachev when it comes to returning to lightweight is, unsurprisingly, the weight cut. The Dagestani star admitted it was never an easy process, and now, given his natural increase in size, it might be even more difficult.

“I don’t know. And it was never easy [the weight cut],” Makhachev admitted. “I’ll have to see how much I gain after the fight. If after the fight in a month my weight is the same 83-84 kg, then we can talk about it. But if it’s already 85 kg (187 lbs), considering that the weight has gone up and it already wasn’t easy, I think we’ll have to sit down with the team and talk [about whether to move back down to lightweight].”

This statement is telling. It shows that while Makhachev is not ruling out a lightweight return, his decision will ultimately come down to health and sustainability. Still, the fact that he’s openly discussing the possibility means fans have reason to be excited.

The Topuria Factor

The rise of Ilia Topuria has been nothing short of spectacular. With his crushing knockout power, unshakable confidence, and undefeated record, the Spanish-Georgian star has become one of the most talked-about fighters in the UFC. His destruction of Charles Oliveira put him firmly at the top of the lightweight division and earned him the respect of even his harshest critics.

But the question now is whether Topuria can cement himself as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. To do that, many believe he needs to face Makhachev, who is widely considered one of the most complete mixed martial artists in history.

Both fighters currently sit in the top two spots of the pound-for-pound rankings, making a clash between them arguably the most anticipated fight in the UFC today. It’s not just about the lightweight belt — it’s about determining who the best fighter in the world truly is.

Timing Is Everything

Much of the potential for this fight will depend on timing. Makhachev is currently preparing for his welterweight clash with Della Maddalena in November at Madison Square Garden, while Topuria is expected to defend his lightweight title later in the year or early next year.

If Makhachev defeats Della Maddalena, the UFC will have an interesting decision to make. Does he continue to compete at welterweight, where big-money fights await, or does he attempt to reclaim his old belt against Topuria in what could be one of the biggest fights of the decade?

On the other hand, if Makhachev loses and feels comfortable at 170 lbs, the promotion may prefer to keep him in the division to rebuild. Either way, his comments leave the door open for a return to lightweight, which ensures fans will continue to dream about the showdown.

A Battle for Pound-for-Pound Supremacy

Should the fight happen, it won’t just be about the lightweight title — it will be about establishing dominance in the pound-for-pound rankings. For years, Makhachev was seen as the heir to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy, and his reign at lightweight only solidified that reputation. But Topuria’s rapid rise has challenged that perception, and many believe he has the tools to hand Makhachev a rare defeat.

Stylistically, it’s a fascinating matchup. Makhachev’s world-class grappling and smothering top control would be tested against Topuria’s explosive striking and underrated ground game. Both are well-rounded, both are mentally tough, and both have shown they can handle the pressure of the spotlight.

What’s Next for the UFC?

From the UFC’s perspective, the possibility of a Makhachev vs. Topuria super-fight is a promotional dream. It would sell out arenas, break pay-per-view records, and generate massive global attention. With both fighters being international stars — Makhachev representing Dagestan and Russia, and Topuria representing Spain and Georgia — the fight would have worldwide appeal.

The UFC is always looking for “super-fights” that transcend the sport, and this has all the makings of one. However, as Makhachev himself noted, much depends on the natural shifts in his weight and how his body responds after competing at welterweight.

Conclusion

Islam Makhachev’s recent comments have reignited excitement over a potential clash with Ilia Topuria, the UFC’s newest lightweight champion. While Makhachev is currently focused on his welterweight journey and his massive fight against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, his willingness to keep the door open for a lightweight return gives fans hope that the dream matchup may still come to fruition.

If Makhachev manages to reclaim his lightweight belt from Topuria, he would cement his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time while also securing the coveted pound-for-pound number one spot. On the other hand, if Topuria were to defeat Makhachev, it would mark the dawn of a new era in the UFC.

Either way, the potential clash between these two giants of the sport has all the ingredients to become one of the most iconic fights in MMA history. Fans around the world will be watching closely to see how the next few months unfold, knowing that the UFC could soon deliver a super-fight that defines a generation.