Makhachev Gives Topuria His Final Warning

Islam Makhachev has issued a warning to Ilia Topuria, making it clear that he will have to pay for his trash talk eventually.

The pair have been linked with a fight, although they are currently at different weight classes. Ilia is the lightweight champion after having knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June. The victory made him a two-weight world champion. As for Islam, he also became a double champ by beating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 to become the new welterweight champion.

Although Ilia is on a break from the sport for personal reasons, there is an expectation that he could face Makhachev on his return at some point. Their rivalry took another turn when Topuria labeled Makhachev’s team “cocky and arrogant” and claimed he would not only submit Makhachev in front of Khabib Nurmagomedov but would also “step on Khabib’s head.” Makhachev has now had their say.

Makhachev Reacts

“They’re so cocky and arrogant, I would really love to submit him in front of [Nurmagomedov], and if Khabib wants to step in afterward, I’ll gladly step on his head, too” Topuria

“I don’t know, we can feel it. He has some kind of hatred towards us, but I think we’ll sort it out. Either before the fight somehow or maybe in the future. Right now he’s on some kind of break. Maybe in the future we’ll settle it in the cage and see. He’s unhappy about something. We need to figure out what it is,” Makhachev said

As for Islam, he is also likely to take some time off. The champ revealed he was offered the chance to fight at UFC 324. This will be the UFC’s first card under their new Paramount+ deal. The card takes place on January 24, which will now be headlined by Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title fight. Makhachev was offered the chance to feature, but chose not, stating he had just been through an intense camp.

“I was offered a fight in January. January, I think, is an impossible date because I had already been in camp for three months, and they called me in December. “They were like, ‘You’ll be fighting in January.’ I said it was already too late. I needed to leave for camp and be ready for January. I told them I definitely won’t fight in January. “They didn’t tell me the name, but honestly, I think it was Morales. That’s my opinion. They didn’t say the name, they just asked whether I would fight in January or not,” Makhachev stated