The UFC’s New Destroyer? Can Topuria Dethrone Makhachev’s Empire?

Ilia Topuria, the newly crowned UFC featherweight champion, has wasted no time in making headlines. Fresh off his dominant knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski, the Spanish-Georgian sensation has already set his sights beyond his division. And his next target? None other than Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion.

“I can knock him out,” Topuria boldly declared in a recent interview, sending shockwaves throughout the MMA community.

It’s an ambitious claim. Makhachev, one of the most dominant champions in recent years, has proven to be a nearly unstoppable force in the lightweight division. But Topuria isn’t backing down. The question is—does he truly have what it takes to dethrone Makhachev, or is this just another case of a fighter talking big before facing reality?

Makhachev’s Dominance: An Unshakable Throne?

For years, Islam Makhachev has ruled the lightweight division with an iron grip. As the heir to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy, Makhachev has carried the torch for Dagestani wrestling and proven himself to be a nightmare matchup for almost anyone.

With an elite ground game, suffocating wrestling, and ever-improving striking, Makhachev has neutralized every challenger thrown his way.

“They all talk before they fight me. But inside the cage, it’s different,” Makhachev responded to Topuria’s callout.

Makhachev’s resume speaks for itself:

• Dominated Charles Oliveira to claim the lightweight throne.
• Outgrappled Alexander Volkanovski in their first fight and knocked him out in their rematch.
• Brutally finished Beneil Dariush in under one round.

Given these accomplishments, it’s no surprise that many believe Makhachev’s reign is far from over. But every great champion eventually meets their match. Could Topuria’s confidence, power, and precision striking be the keys to cracking the Dagestani code?

Topuria’s Rise: A Star in the Making or a Hype Train?

Ilia Topuria has quickly become one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC. With an undefeated record (15-0) and a growing reputation for spectacular knockouts, he has captured the attention of fans worldwide.

“I’ve dominated everyone they put in front of me,” Topuria said confidently. “Lightweight is no different.”

His knockout of Alexander Volkanovski sent a clear message—Topuria isn’t just hype. He’s a legitimate force, combining dangerous boxing, underrated grappling, and unbreakable confidence.

Yet history has shown that moving up in weight is no easy task. Even Volkanovski—considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters—struggled against Makhachev’s strength and control at lightweight. If Volkanovski, with all his experience, couldn’t get the job done, can Topuria really succeed where others have failed?

The Size and Wrestling Factor: Topuria’s Biggest Test Yet

One of the biggest concerns for Topuria in this potential fight is size and wrestling. Moving up to 155 lbs means facing bigger, stronger, and more powerful opponents. And Makhachev isn’t just any lightweight—he’s a grappling machine with a history of manhandling top-tier opponents.

“Topuria is good, but he’s not stopping my wrestling,” Makhachev confidently stated.

While Topuria has solid takedown defense, he has never been tested against a world-class wrestler like Makhachev. Even elite grapplers such as Oliveira and Dariush were unable to handle Makhachev’s relentless pressure.

Could Topuria’s explosiveness be the key to avoiding takedowns? Or will he get smothered and dominated like so many before him?

Striking vs. Wrestling: A Clash of Styles

Every great fight in MMA history is built on a clash of styles, and Topuria vs. Makhachev would be no exception.

Topuria’s Key Weapon: His boxing is fast, powerful, and precise. He’s a fighter who thrives on chaos, pushing forward aggressively and looking to end fights early.

“If I touch his chin, he’s going down,” Topuria said with a smirk.

Makhachev’s Key Weapon: His grappling dominance. Unlike most wrestlers, Makhachev doesn’t just rely on control—he actively searches for submissions, making him even more dangerous.

If Topuria can keep the fight standing, his power could be a serious threat. But if Makhachev gets his hands on him, the fight could turn into a one-sided beatdown.

Hype or reality? The Fight the Fans Want to See

UFC fans love bold callouts, and this potential matchup has all the ingredients for a blockbuster showdown.

Two undefeated champions.
A striker vs. a grappler.
A confident rising star vs. a dominant reigning king.

Topuria’s callout has already sparked heated debates among MMA analysts and fans. Some believe he’s the real deal. Others think he’s making a critical mistake, calling out an opponent who is simply too strong and too well-rounded for him to handle.

“Let’s make it happen, UFC,” Topuria demanded.

While the fight isn’t official yet, the buzz is real. If Topuria can make a statement in his next title defense and Makhachev continues to reign at lightweight, this could be one of the biggest superfights in UFC history.

Final Verdict: Can Topuria Pull Off the Upset?

So, is Ilia Topuria truly capable of dethroning Islam Makhachev, or is this just another case of a fighter overestimating their abilities?

The truth is, styles make fights, and Topuria’s style—aggressive striking with strong takedown defense—could pose a challenge for Makhachev. But Makhachev’s wrestling has never been truly tested by a featherweight moving up.

“Champ vs. Champ. Let’s see who’s real,” Topuria teased.

Whether this fight happens or not, one thing is clear: Topuria isn’t afraid of anyone. And if history has shown us anything, it’s that the Octagon is where the impossible happens.