In a historic move, featherweight UFC champion Ilia Topuria has vacated his title to chase greener pastures in the lightweight division. ‘El Matador’ wants Islam Makhachev’s lightweight throne and possibly more opportunities at welterweight afterward.
The Georgian-Spanish fighter knocked out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 to steal the throne and put the MMA world on notice. He doubled down on his promise of violence by handing Max Holloway his first knockout loss at UFC 308.
With clear-cut victories over two of the division’s top-three champions, undefeated Topuria feels he’s done enough to move up and chase a legacy title fight with Makhachev. Makhachev’s coach believes Topuria is ‘cutting the line’ but admits that the UFC wants eyes on their fights.
Javier Mendez admits Ilia Topuria might be cutting the line, but UFC doesn’t follow ‘true sport’ principles
Speaking to Submission Radio about whether Topuria deserves a lightweight title shot, coach Javier Mendez gave his fair assessment of the UFC being a ‘true sport.’
“Well of course he’s cutting the line, but hey, if the fans – that’s what they wanna see, what the UFC wants to see… He is cutting in line, but it’s not a true sport. [UFC] is not a true sport it’s entertainment first so if more eyeballs are gonna pay attention to Topuria then obviously that’s what the UFC is gonna want.
“So from a realistic real true sport yeah he’s cutting the line, but from an entertainment [perspective he isn’t.] Because in that case, how many times did Chael Sonnen cut the line?”
Mendez refers to three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen, who earned his first shot at the middleweight title with a three-fight streak, then again on a two-fight streak, and challenged the light heavyweight belt on a losing streak.
Fellow UFC lightweight says size won’t matter in Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria
Topuria stands three inches shorter than Makhachev and has a smaller frame. ‘El Matador’ struggled against Jai Herbert in his last lightweight fight, but size doesn’t matter in his next lightweight appearance, according to perennial UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney.
Speaking to Inside Fighting, McKinney said he doesn’t think Topuria’s size matters in the eventual super fight.
“I heard he’s been knocking out 170 pounders, so I don’t think it really matters,” McKinney said. “I saw a little video clip… I was like, ‘Damn, the boy’s a savage.’
It’s also worth mentioning that Makhachev fought 5’6″ Alexander Volkanovski in his first lightweight title defense, and it was one of his hardest fights to date. With a few adjustments, ‘The Great’ could have caused a major upset. He lost the rematch by head kick knockout, and it’s likely Makhachev won’t risk that mistake against a smaller man again.