Ilia Topuria threatens Khabib Nurmagomedov in latest message to Islam Makhachev and team

Despite taking a hiatus from the UFC, Ilia Topuria has sent another warning message to Islam Makhachev and his team.

Not long ago, it was announced by UFC boss Dana White that lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is taking some time out from the sport to deal with ongoing personal matters.

And although an interim title fight has been put together, ‘El Matador’ recently teased that his comeback fight may not even take place against the winner of Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett.

The Spaniard continues to call for a welterweight title fight against Islam Makhachev, hoping to settle their longstanding feud in the sport.

Topuria threatens to ‘step on’ Khabib Nurmagomedov in latest message to team Makhachev

Throughout their feud, several members of both teams have also found themselves involved in it by association.

And in Topuria’s latest message to the Makhachev team, he has threatened to ‘step on’ Makhachev’s head coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“I consider my strong point to be on the ground, but lately I’ve accepted that it is not what the public wants to see, although with Islam perhaps it is something that the public wants to see,” Topuria told Eldo Berdan MMA.

“To dominate him standing up, to give him three or four punches in the spot where I have to hit him, and then to submit him in front of Khabib and if he wants to pass, I’ll gladly step on his head too,” he continued.

‘The Eagle’ has managed to stay out of the feud since it began, continuing to showcase respect, which he became well-known for during his UFC career.

Despite Khabib’s continued popularity, his team came under scrutiny this past week after another one of his teammates received a ban after testing positive for a banned substance.

Makhachev continues to receive criticism after picking his next title challenger

After beating Jack Della Maddalena a few months ago, Makhachev found himself receiving criticism after revealing that he would like to fight Kamaru Usman next.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is 1-3 in his last four fights, with his only win having come against Joaquin Buckley this past June.

Fans have been left frustrated with Makhachev’s choice not only because the majority believe Usman doesn’t deserve the next title shot, but also because there are several contenders at 170lbs who could fight for the title.