Jasmin Frank-Imagn Images

Islam Makhachev's Coach Pours Cold Water on Ilia Topuria's Hopes

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio G Losada | Last updated Dec 17, 2024 7:00 AM ET

Javier Mendez, head coach of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, has shut down growing speculation about a fight between Makhachev and featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria.

The coach has made clear that such a matchup is not currently on their radar, mostly because of the difference in weight both fighters walk around and Topuria's empty track record at lightweight.

Topuria declared his plans to move up to lightweight from featherweight, potentially vacating his title to challenge for the 155-pound strap.

However, the Spanish fighter quickly took to X to clarify the speculation, saying he "will not leave the title vacant" on Thursday, teasing holding both titles is what interests him.

Even if Topuria completes the move up in weight, Mendez downplayed the idea of a fight between Topuria and Makhachev interesting him or his pupil.

Appearing on "Submission Radio" on Monday, Mendez acknowledged Topuria’s talent but emphasized that the featherweight champion has yet to prove himself at 155 pounds before facing reigning lightweight champion Makhachev.

“The guy is a great fighter, he’s got the best boxing hands in the business I feel, the best technical anyway,” Mendez said. “He can do a lot of damage if he goes up in weight, but I don’t know what’s gonna happen.

”I’m not interested in that fight whatsoever at the present time.”

Mendez also addressed the weight comparisons between Makhachev and Topuria, highlighting a key difference between them.

“Topuria being at 187 pounds, that’s amazing,” Mendez said. “Islam, when he’s in camp, starts at about 178 or 179 pounds. He’s never been that heavy. Topuria’s kind of a wide guy, like Alex [Volkanovski], just stockier.”

For now, Makhachev will defend his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 next January in a highly anticipated rematch.

Makhachev himself has expressed his own interest in moving up in weight to compete in the welterweight division back in Oct. 2023.

However, with Belal Muhammad now the 170-pound champion and a close friend of Makhachev, that path has been put on hold as they are not expected to fight each other.

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

More must-reads: