UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria wasn’t complimentary of Islam Makhachev after the lightweight titleholder’s win at UFC 311.
Islam Makhachev earned a quick finish over short-notice opponent Renato Moicano in the UFC 311 main event. After he was supposed to face Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 311 headliner, Tsarukyan withdrew just hours before the official weigh-in due to injury, and Moicano was promoted to the main event slot.
Makhachev’s dominant win over Moicano set the record for most UFC lightweight title defenses (5) in the promotion’s history. He surpassed Benson Henderson, BJ Penn, and his longtime friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov to earn the record.
Many fighters and analysts were complimentary of Makhachev after his lopsided victory at UFC 311. Topuria, who has had some recent bad blood brewing with Makhachev ahead of a potential lightweight move, didn’t take long to weigh in on Makhachev’s performance on social media.
Ilia Topuria warns Islam Makhachev ahead of potential lightweight move after UFC 311
In a recent tweet, Topuria called out Makhachev after his UFC 311 victory.
“Islam, if I want to, I can finish you. If I want to, I can knock you out,” Topuria tweeted. “I’ll make it look easy. See you soon [winks].”
Topuria recently announced his intentions to move up to lightweight following his most recent featherweight title defense against Max Holloway at UFC 309. He became the first fighter to knock out Holloway after defeating Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight belt earlier this year.
Leading up to UFC 311, Makhachev admitted that he’d be more likely to face his teammate, Belal Muhammad, for the welterweight title next than to face Topuria. Makhachev has long teased a move to welterweight, and after demolishing another lightweight contender, he might turn his attention to a two-division championship pursuit.
Topuria and Makhachev’s building beef includes the featherweight champ’s mother warning Makhachev of her son’s street fighting past, and Makhachev threatening Topuria if they crossed paths. Makhachev also recently endorsed Movsar Evloev to face Topuria for his next featherweight title defense.
After Topuria’s tweet went viral, it didn’t take long for Makhachev to answer the featherweight champion’s callout.
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Islam Makhachev has a new contender in Ilia Topuria if he opts to continue lightweight reign
After Tsarukyan’s last-second withdrawal from UFC 311, UFC CEO Dana White dismissed Tsarukyan as the next man up for Makhachev and hinted that Tsarukyan would need to win another fight before getting another title shot. Charles Oliveira, Makhachev’s former foe at UFC 280, is also in the mix for a potential rematch.
Topuria made his lightweight debut in March 2022, knocking out Jai Herbert in come-from-behind fashion at a UFC Fight Night in London. He’s 16-0 in his career with recent wins over Josh Emmett, Bryce Mitchell, and Ryan Hall.
Makhachev vs. Topuria would add to what should be another stacked UFC event slate in 2025. If Makhachev welcomes Topuria to the division with an immediate title shot, fans will be in for a treat before and during their matchup.
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