'Let's get the facts straight'… Ilia Topuria's manager hits back at Islam Makhachev's team for denying title fight
Yesterday at 08:21 AM
The feud between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev seems to have extended past just the fighters as both managers are now involving themselves in the beef.
Ever since Ilia Topuria captured the UFC featherweight title, he has spoken openly about his desire to fight Islam Makhachev.
This resulted in an ongoing online feud between the two as Topuria claimed he will send Makhachev to hospital if they ended up fighting in the street.
However, the feud took another turn earlier this week when Topuria shockingly vacated his featherweight title announcing that he will make his permanent move up to the lightweight division, in pursuit of a fight against Makhachev.
Ilia Topuria’s manager responds to Islam Makhachev’s team
Ever since ‘El Matador’ has talked about a potential move up to 155lbs, Makhachev and his team have been against the idea of fighting him. His head coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov claimed he must fight a contender first, earning his right to fight the Russian champion.
That notion was then continued earlier this week when Makhachev’s manager shut down the potential Topuria fight stating that the lightweight champion doesn’t want to fight a ‘small featherweight’ again.
Unfortunately, Makhachev’s title reign has been somewhat plagued, to no fault of his own, as all of his title defences so far have come against former or current featherweight’s.
Despite that, following the comments from the Russian champion’s manager, the 28-year-old Spaniard’s manager inserted himself in the feud by hitting back at Makhachev’s team.
“I kind of like to stay to myself but when certain managers come out and talk about ‘The guy is too small, he shouldn’t move up, he needs to fight someone else’, let’s just make sure we get the facts right,” Topuria’s manager, Malki Kawa began to explain.
“He knocked out (Alexander) Volkanovski in his first opportunity to knock him out, the fight wasn’t close. When your client fought Volk he struggled with him the first time, don’t forget that.
“Second, he beat and knocks him out, then he knocks out Max Holloway who happens to be one of the greatest 145lb fighters of all time. I’m not sure why he doesn’t deserve a shot at 155lbs but I don’t blame you, I wouldn’t want my client to fight Ilia Topuria either,” he continued.
Who could Ilia Topuria fight at lightweight if he isn’t given an immediate title shot?
With Makhachev and his team seemingly against fighting ‘El Matador’ before he has registered another win at lightweight, it has left fans wondering who he could fight if not the champion.
Topuria narrowly avoided defeat in his lightweight debut and will be hoping for a more smooth sailing outing in his permanent move up to the division.
If the promotion do opt against giving him an immediate title shot, there is realistically only one name that makes sense for the Spaniard. Charles Oliveira is currently ranked second in the division and a number one contender fight between the two could make sense.
