GettyImages

Ilia Topuria Sends Cold Shot at Islam Makhachev: ‘He’ll Want to Go Back to Russia’

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated May 9, 2025 4:03 PM ET

The wait for Ilia Topuria’s return to the Octagon is nearly over. The undefeated former featherweight champion is expected to make his next walk on June 28th—UFC’s International Fight Week card—and it will be at lightweight. Who he’ll face in his divisional debut may depend entirely on the outcome of UFC 315’s main event. With the stakes rising and anticipation growing, Topuria has already started putting pressure on potential foes—both verbally and strategically.

Topuria recently appeared on El Hormiguero , one of Spain’s most popular late-night talk shows hosted by Pablo Motos, where he didn’t hold back when asked about a potential fight with Islam Makhachev. A clip translated and shared by Championship Rounds captured Topuria’s confidence on full display. ‘I don’t think he’ll even touch my legs, because the first thing he feels, he’ll want me to send him back to Russia… The only reason he doesn’t want to fight me is because he knows I’m going to beat him.’

Ilia Topuria on a potential fight against Islam Makhachev:

“I don’t think he’ll even touch my legs, because the first thing he feels, he’ll want me to send him back to Russia…

The only reason he doesn’t want to fight me is because he knows I’m going to beat him.”

… pic.twitter.com/k0hELTCGkV
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 9, 2025

That soundbite immediately sparked buzz among fans eager for a champion vs. champion showdown. Some fans chimed in online with mixed reactions, calling him ‘such a clown’ and predicting ‘you will be Khabibed by Islam… and you will tap like a chicken.’ Others were more entertained, saying ‘his trash talk is getting better than McGregor.’ Regardless of which side of the fence you're on, this potential showdown is heating up.

UFC President Dana White has already confirmed that Ilia Topuria will face either Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira following UFC 315, which features a welterweight title fight between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena in the main event. With the belt, momentum, and now trash talk all in play, Topuria’s next fight could mark one of the most intriguing matchups in either division this year. However, Jack Della Maddalena could play spoiler to the highly anticipated Makhachev vs. Topuria showdown. A win over Muhammad could upend the lightweight title picture entirely, forcing the UFC to pivot away from the champion vs. champion clash that many fans are hoping to see.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: