Makhachev Names His Condition For Fighting Topuria

Islam Makhachev states a bout against Ilia Topuria would require big money from the UFC, especially if the fight is to take place at the 155-pound limit.

Makhachev moved up from lightweight to beat Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 and capture the welterweight championship. Having achieved his two-division dream, Islam—backed by his coach Khabib Nurmagomedov—has firmly stated that his future lies at welterweight.

This decision creates a significant obstacle for the highly anticipated super-fight. If the contest is to happen at lightweight, one of the champions must make a strenuous concession: either Makhachev, who is now 34 and finding the cut increasingly difficult, moves back down, or Topuria, who has only just secured the lightweight belt, moves up to 170.

“It would have to be a very good offer for me to start cutting back to 155lbs, because I’m not young in this sport anymore, and every weight cut takes years off your health, it’s not as easy as before to cut weight,” Makhachev said 

Solutions

The UFC must meet Makhachev’s demand for a “massive financial incentive” by offering a guaranteed, eight-figure purse and a significantly enhanced share of the pay-per-view (PPV) revenue. Since Makhachev has achieved his two-division champion status and is now looking for legacy fights at a comfortable weight, the financial risk of cutting down to 155 lbs must be offset. Furthermore, the fight should be branded as a “Triple-Crowning” event, as a victory for Topuria would make him a three-division champion (Featherweight, Lightweight, and Welterweight), instantly making it one of the biggest legacy fights in modern MMA history.

There could also be a fight at a catchweight. It could require Topuria to move up 10 pounds from his lightweight limit, which is a manageable jump for a fighter with his frame and is less physically taxing than a full welterweight jump. Crucially, it only requires Makhachev to cut five pounds from the welterweight limit, which is a far more reasonable cut. A 165-pound catchweight also allows both fighters to retain their respective titles at 155 and 170.