Ilia Topuria: Islam Makhachev 'Can Get In Line' If He Wants to Return to Lightweight

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

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Topuria on potential fight against Makhachev: "He said he wouldn't vacate his title and I said he ruled the division and who has gotten away with it? Me. After this fight, when I have the belt, he might get in line, which is a long one, so more than one's eyes will be shining" pic.twitter.com/rppCH3UdjZ

— Álvaro Colmenero (@KOlmeneroMMA) May 18, 2025

If things don’t work out for Islam Makhachev in his venture to welterweight, he won’t have an immediate title shot waiting for him in the lightweight division.


At least, that’s how it will be if Ilia Topuria has a say in the championship pecking order. “El Matador” will face Charles Oliveira for the vacant 155-pound strap at UFC 317 on June 28. Makhachev vacated the belt to pursue a title shot against Jack Della Maddalena at 170 pounds. A date for that fight has not yet been confirmed.

“You know from the beginning, he wanted to give the impression that he had some sort of decision,” Topuria said during a recent press conference. “He also said about a week ago ‘My move up to welterweight isn’t going to matter because I’m not planning on vacating my title.’ You remember that right? And I had said before that, I didn’t move up to lightweight to ask anyone for anything and that I was the one in charge.

“So who got their way, who did what they said? As always, him or me? So after this fight when I have the belt, he can get in line, which is a long one and someone’s eyes will be shining.”

Makhachev didn’t seem enthused about the possibility of facing Topuria when the featherweight champion initially announced his plans to move up. The Dagestani standout also stated on social media that he didn’t plan on vacating the lightweight belt. However, it appears that the promotion was not going to allow Makhachev to hold up the lightweight division while he pursued a title in another weight class.

This Saturdays main event will define what’s my next move is. But regardless of outcome that fight, I’m not going to vacate my lightweight title! We might get real contender there! pic.twitter.com/c57plqZKcu

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 9, 2025

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Ilia Topuria: Islam Makhachev 'Can Get In Line' If He Wants to Return to Lightweight

If things don’t work out for Islam Makhachev in his venture to welterweight, he won’t have an immediate title shot waiting for him in the lightweight division.

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[KO Shotz]

 

[Legendary]

I like Ilia and the energy he brings, but this is just delusional. Beating 145 past prime champs doesn't mean you can hang with Islam, who is the P4P #1 for a reason. It reminds me when everyone was calling out Khabib after he retired. Easy to talk shit when you know you probably will never fight him.

 

[Mammothman]

Delusional manlet, Islam would get a TS if he decides to move back down and there is nothing Topuria can do about it.

If he refuses to fight him it would be a massive DUCK so he have the obligation to fight Islam if he moves back down.

 

[jko1355]

Zzzzzz

 

[hbombbisping]

I thought midget said he wanted 3 weight titles? Getting cold feet?

 

[richardjohnson]

I like Ilia and the energy he brings, but this is just delusional. Beating 145 past prime champs doesn't mean you can hang with Islam, who is the P4P #1 for a reason. It reminds me when everyone was calling out Khabib after he retired. Easy to talk shit when you know you probably will never fight him.

To be fair he was talking shit well before Islam decided to move to 170

 

[JustBreed]

Will be hilarious if he gets besmirched by Olives

 

[Aurelian]

To be fair he was talking shit well before Islam decided to move to 170

On top of that he just called the current FW champ and 33 year old Max Holloway past prime and disregarded Ilia is #3 P4P. Shit, Islam and Ilia are practically #1 and #2 since Jon doesn't want to fight.

 

[hbombbisping]

Topuria is worming here. Islam is putting on muscle to move to WW, is 33 and will never make the cut to LW again.

Topuria said his dream was to be a 3 weight champ and now he wants Islam to go back to LW to wait and fight him?

Maybe he realizes he only had a remote chance against a depleted Islam and will get tossed out of the cage at WW.

 

[richardjohnson]

On top of that he just called the current FW champ and 33 year old Max Holloway past prime and disregarded Ilia is #3 P4P. Shit, Islam and Ilia are practically #1 and #2 since Jon doesn't want to fight.

I think it’s fair to say Max is past his prime at this point to be honest. That doesn’t mean he’s done and beating him isn’t impressive though.

 

[Sticko]

Topuria is worming here. Islam is putting on muscle to move to WW, is 33 and will never make the cut to LW again.

Topuria said his dream was to be a 3 weight champ and now he wants Islam to go back to LW to wait and fight him?

Maybe he realizes he only had a remote chance against a depleted Islam and will get tossed out of the cage at WW.

Where did he say he wants Islam to go back down to LW?

 

[ejazahmednit]

How I wish Charles would shut Toppy up, but i highly doubt it would happen

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

brather, focus on the belt and the guy you have to beat to get it before you talk like you already have it.

 

[fortheo]

brather, focus on the belt and the guy you have to beat to get it before you talk like you already have it.

For all of Oliveira's defensive liabilities, he's simultaneously the most dangerous offensive threat illia has faced, and the biggest guy in general. I'm looking forward to that car crash of a fight. It will be violent.

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

Will be super funny if Chucky just starches him and all this shit is irrelevant

I'm looking forward to that car crash of a fight. It will be violent.

 

[Outrider1981]

Will be super funny if Chucky just starches him and all this shit is irrelevant

I think Topuria will knock oliveira out cold. Charles often gets caught and comes back but with topuria its not Happening. He will Hunt him down and finish!

 

[MrBlackheart]

First,” Islam is ducking me”. Now, “Islam must fight a contender before fighting me”. Next is ”Islam is WW champ but he’s scared of fighting at 170 because he’s moving down to LW”?

 

[Travis Alexander]

He’s looking past Olives and I think he will be looking up at the lights from the canvas after Oliveira knocks him out or chokes him out.

 

[Steve Fox]

Will be hilarious if he gets besmirched by Olives

Can happen. Strong possibility that it does in fact happen.