Islam Makhachev may have to take on Ilia Topuria, with a UFC icon pointing out a significant issue in not accepting the challenge.
There hasn’t been much enthusiasm from the reigning lightweight champion’s team for a showdown with ‘El Matador’. Ali Abdelaziz even went as far as saying Makhachev could fight Justin Gaethje over Topuria.
The Spanish-Georgian has announced that he will return to action on June 28 at UFC 317. However, an opponent has yet to be confirmed.
And one former world title challenger thinks there’s an issue with Topuria having to prove himself in the division before he gets his shot at the throne.
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Chael Sonnen points out flaw in Ilia Topuria having to earn a fight with Islam Makhachev
Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria having to get a big win before he gets his chance against Islam Makhachev.
Having heard that the Dagestani wants his own shot at becoming a two-weight UFC champion, ‘The American Gangster’ has pointed out a major issue.
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, the trash-talker explained: “Islam is not going to fight Ilia Topuria, and it’s for one reason.
“Khabib himself said, ‘This is our problem with it, he has not proven, and when that proof comes, it can only go up and down, and if it goes down, we don’t need a win over a guy that’s down’. So, come in and prove it—it’s a fair point.
“Islam would like to go to 170, and he would like to challenge for the championship of the world. So, for anybody at 170 to say, ‘I’m not going to face you because you’ve yet to prove yourself’, do you see where it becomes a problem?”
UFC lightweight insists size won’t matter when Ilia Topuria fights Islam Makhachev
Standing at just 5ft7, there are concerns that Topuria might be too small to compete with a lightweight the size of Makhachev.
However, one MMA star is convinced that the power-puncher’s smaller stature isn’t something fans need to worry about.
The 155-pound athlete has opened up about a video he’s seen of Topruia inside the gym.
The UFC fighter claims Topuria is destroying far bigger fighters in sparring.