MMA

Ilia Topuria makes bold prediction about Islam Makhachev

DAZN

Published by Amy Kaplan

23, Oct 24

Ilia Topuria makes bold prediction about Islam Makhachev

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On Saturday at UFC 308, Ilia Topuria will look to defend his featherweight title for the first time when he takes on Max Holloway in the main event. But Topuria is seemingly already planning his next title fight and it's not at featherweight.

Topuria has previously voiced his desire to be the UFC's first-ever three-division champion and the first step toward that goal is a fight with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Not only does Topuria think he will beat Makhachev, but he thinks he could be the first one to submit the Dagestani champion.

“If they call me and they want me to move up to the lightweight division, I will be OK with that moving up and be the first one to submit Islam. If they want me to keep on defending that belt in the featherweight division, I will be OK with that, too. Let’s leave that decision to the UFC," Topuria said at the UFC 308 media day.

As of now, Makhachev is not scheduled for his next fight. Perhaps the UFC is waiting to see how the fight between Topuria and Holloway plays out. It would not be the first time that the UFC has paired a featherweight champion with Makhachev. Alexander Volkanovski fought Makhachev twice while he was the reigning featherweight champion in hopes of earning himself champ-champ status, but lost to Makhachev both times.