Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why Ilia Topuria doesn't deserve Islam Makhachev title shot after vacating UFC belt
02/21/2025 05:38 AM
Ilia Topuria will have to go through at least one lightweight contender before he is given a title shot if Khabib Nurmagomedov has anything to do with it.
Following an extremely dominant run at featherweight which saw him knockout both Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway back-to-back, Ilia Topuria has decided to pursue new challenges.
Earlier this week, UFC boss, Dana White announced that Topuria is vacating his title and will move up to 155lbs permanently, as the Spaniard believes he has done all he can do at featherweight and can’t continue cutting the weight.
Although this will mark the 28-year-old’s permanent move up to lightweight, he has fought at 155lbs once before during his UFC tenure and Topuria narrowly avoided defeat before scoring a big KO.
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Topuria should fight lightweight contender first
Initially, the plan was for ‘El Matador’ to rematch Volkanovski at UFC 314 in Miami, however, Volkanovski will now fight Diego Lopes following Topuria’s title vacation.
The Spaniard has continuously hinted at a move up to lightweight during his 145lb title reign and it has led to an online feud between Topuria and Makhachev as the Russian believes he doesn’t deserve an immediate title shot.
Makhachev isn’t the only one who thinks Topuria is undeserved of an immediate lightweight title shot as his head coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov has also explained what he thinks Topuria must do before earning a fight against the pound-for-pound number one, Makhachev.
“Without fighting at 155lbs, no (I don’t think Topuria deserves a title shot),” Khabib told Pound 4 Pound Podcast.
“Because Islam has already given a chance and people talk bad about the fact he fought twice against Volkanovski but the UFC pushed that fight and this fight was good but why does Islam have to give a chance three times for the 145lb champion?
“It’s not fair for 155lb contenders but if he moves up and beats someone like Charles Oliveira, of course. And I think he can beat him,” Nurmagomedov continued.
Will Topuria be granted an immediate lightweight title shot?
Although it would be unfortunate for Makhachev’s title reign to be plagued by the fact he has only defended his belt against current or former featherweight fighters, it is likely the fight that makes the most sense.
The Russian was scheduled to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 but after the Armenian withdrew from the fight just a day before, Dana White revealed Tsarukyan won’t be given another title shot.
And because of that, there aren’t any lightweight contenders outside of ‘Ahalkalakets’ that makes sense for Makhachev, meaning Topuria has a good chance of being granted an immediate shot at the title.
Reputable reporter, Ariel Helwani reported earlier this week that the plan is for Makhachev and Topuria to fight on International Fight Week, which is scheduled for June 28 and will be headlined by UFC 317.
