Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev are firm on not granting a lightweight title shot to featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, emphasizing the importance of contenders proving themselves in the 155-pound division and preferring to face established lightweight fighters.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev are sticking to their guns about who should get the next lightweight title shot.
Earlier this year, featherweight champ Ilia Topuria vacated his title, eyeing a move to 155 pounds for the lightweight belt. Fans buzzed about a potential superfight with Makhachev, but the lightweight king isn’t too keen on giving another 145-pound champion a shot. He’s already done that twice with Alexander Volkanovski, and despite growing support for the matchup, Makhachev and his camp remain unmoved.
“My personal opinion — not necessarily more dangerous, let’s say more competitive — I think it’s [Arman] Tsarukyan,” Khabib shared with Adam Zubayraev. “Arman is a more serious fighter than Topuria. Topuria’s good at 145, but we haven’t seen him at 155.”
“I don’t know what agreements Topuria and the UFC have, but from Islam’s side, he’s already given two shots to 145 champs. Both times he won. Now a third time? Imagine Topuria moves up and gets a shot right away, Islam beats him, then Topuria fights again and loses. So basically [a] nobody at 155,” Khabib explained. “In terms of legacy for Islam, I understand his risks.”
Makhachev was set to defend against Tsarukyan at UFC 311 in January. However, Tsarukyan withdrew last minute, leading Renato Moicano to step in on short notice. Makhachev secured a first-round submission victory, marking the most lightweight title defenses in UFC history. Two of those defenses were against Volkanovski, including one in Australia—no wonder Makhachev’s hesitant to repeat that scenario.
“Islam will fight anyone,” Nurmagomedov stated. “But every time with Islam—once, twice, now a third time—they’re giving him a 145 champ moving up to 155. Come on now.” He emphasized that Islam deserves input in these decisions.
Islam doesn’t have much time left either; he’ll be 34 soon. He wants to fight big names who truly deserve it—guys who’ve been at 155 for a while. If you’re moving up in weight class, earn it.
Topuria isn’t the only champ looking to move up. As the top pound-for-pound fighter, Makhachev has shown interest in chasing another title himself—even considering middleweight if necessary.
“Islam wants to move up to 170 but we can’t fight there because Belal is there,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “He’s a close friend.”
“If Maddalena were champ, Islam would’ve fought him already,” he added. The UFC might offer Islam a fight with Maddalena at 170 if things change after Belal’s upcoming defense against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 next month.