Ilia Topuria has stirred the pot once again by issuing a bold warning to Islam Makhachev and his team, even while taking a break from the UFC. Recently, UFC president Dana White announced that lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is stepping away from the octagon to address some personal matters.
While an interim title fight has been arranged in his absence, Topuria has hinted that when he returns, it might not be against the victor of the upcoming showdown between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. Instead, the Spanish fighter is eager for a welterweight title clash with Makhachev, aiming to resolve their ongoing rivalry in the sport.
What more must Ilia Topuria accomplish to enter the conversation about the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in the UFC? đ
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In a recent message directed at Makhachev's team, Topuria didnât hold back, threatening to "step on" the head of Makhachevâs coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov. He stated, "I believe my strength lies on the ground, but Iâve come to understand that this isn't what fans are eager to see. However, with Islam, it might actually be what they want." Topuria expressed a desire to dominate Makhachev in stand-up exchanges, landing several well-placed strikes before submitting him right in front of Khabib, adding, "If he tries to pass, I'll gladly step on his head as well."
Khabib, renowned for his respectful demeanor throughout his career, has largely managed to stay above the fray in this feud. Despite his ongoing popularity, his team faced scrutiny recently when one of his teammates was suspended after testing positive for a banned substance.
Do you concur with Artur Beterbievâs assertion that Islam Makhachev surpasses Khabib Nurmagomedov? While Khabib is often hailed as the GOAT in the UFC, itâs possible that he has shaped the very fighter who could eventually claim that title for himself.
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Makhachev has also faced backlash for his choice of next challenger after defeating Jack Della Maddalena a few months back. He expressed interest in fighting Kamaru Usman next, despite Usman's recent record of just one win in his last four outings, which came against Joaquin Buckley this past June. Many fans are frustrated by Makhachev's decision, believing that Usman does not deserve another title shot, particularly when there are numerous deserving contenders in the welterweight division.
