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Islam Makhachev’s coach reverses course on Ilia Topuria fight after previously being ‘not interested’ in booking

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Curtis Calhoun | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 10:14 PM ET

Islam Makhachev’s team is now open to the idea of fighting Ilia Topuria just months after Makhachev vacated the lightweight belt.

Islam Makhachev shocked the MMA world when he announced he vacated his UFC lightweight title for a move to welterweight. Makhachev solidified his decision just hours after his friend and teammate, Belal Muhammad, lost the UFC welterweight belt to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315.

When Makhachev opted to vacate the UFC lightweight championship, he walked away from a potential showdown with Ilia Topuria. Topuria went on to knock out one of Makhachev’s former foes, Charles Oliveira, at UFC 317.

Makhachev and his team have repeatedly dismissed a clash with Topuria, claiming that Topuria still has a lot to prove before earning a fight with the now-former UFC lightweight champ. After Topuria’s recent knockout almost broke the internet, the fight is back in the mix.

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Coach Javier Mendez touts perfect timing for Ilia Topuria fight for Islam Makhachev

In December, Makhachev’s longtime coach Javier Mendez shut down interest in fighting Topuria as the then-UFC featherweight champ teased a move to lightweight. But Mendez has since changed his tune, especially after Topuria earned the top spot in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Mendez was asked about revisiting a showdown with Topuria.

“It’s the number one fight. The other one was Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall, but right now, if Islam wins, the fight to make is Topuria vs. Islam. I like what [Ilia] has been doing,” Mendez said.

“He’s doing a good job at getting people to want to watch the fight. The more Ilia does, the more people want to see this fight. I like everything he’s doing as a fighter.

“He’s very strong and doesn’t care about the weight.”

Mendez then explained why the timing is perfect for a potential Makhachev vs. Topuria super fight.

“I think that, now, it’s a great fight for us. The first thing Islam wanted was a legacy fight, he wanted the welterweight title,” Mendez explained.

“Now if we win the welterweight title, we can go down or he can come up. That’s what I say, but it’s not happening if the UFC doesn’t like it. But we need to win first.”

Makhachev and Maddalena are expected to fight later this year, although the UFC hasn’t made a formal announcement regarding the bout. Makhachev has repeatedly pleaded with the UFC to fight Maddalena at a historic venue, and after Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s recent remarks, it sounds like his wish will be granted.

Islam Makhachev gets MSG wish granted after Khabib Nurmagomedov leaked his next fight

Nurmagomedov recently ‘leaked’ that Makhachev vs. Maddalena will headline UFC 322 in November at Madison Square Garden. As of this writing, the promotion hasn’t announced the fight for the annual pay-per-view card in New York City.

Maddalena initially wanted the Makhachev fight in Australia, before Makhachev’s manager publicly shut down his request. If Makhachev is successful in defeating Maddalena, he’ll become the latest two-division champion in UFC history.

The Makhachev vs. Maddalena fight adds to a stacked tail-end to 2025. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall headlines UFC 321 opposite Ciryl Gane, while Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira 2 headlines UFC 320.

While nothing is official, expect a Makhachev vs. Maddalena announcement in the coming weeks.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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