Once considered the obvious choice for Islam Makhachev’s next title defense, a fight with Ilia Topuria is now looking less and less likely.
Topuria has quickly become the hottest star in the UFC and has the potential to become another transcendent legend of the sport. He vacated his featherweight title after knocking out two of the greatest champs to ever fight in the division with ease. Now he’s looking to fight for the lightweight belt at a time where 155 pound champ Makhachev has said he’s looking for new challenges.
But Islam’s friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently out there on a ‘Hell no’ tour.
Khabib says the UFC is eager for Islam to fight for the title immediately, but Islam won’t risk everything he’s built over ten years for someone like Topuria, who’s only had two major wins:
“The UFC really wants Islam to fight for the title immediately. Islam has the longest… pic.twitter.com/nAmURlvooo
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) April 17, 2025
“Islam has the longest winning streak in the UFC and he has the best resume,” Khabib said in a recent interview. “Topuria has been fighting in the UFC for a couple of years and has six or seven fights. Islam has 16 or 17, if I’m not mistaken. He has a solid resume. So if they want to put at stake all the legacy Islam has built in the UFC? Islam won’t put it all on the line for a man who has just won two big fights.”
“Let him go through the same path, and then no problem.”
We’ve heard plenty of posturing like this from fighter coaches and managers in the past, and you can usually brush it off as a negotiating tactic. Not in this case, according to Nurmagomedov’s good friend and former teammate Daniel Cormier.
“Khabib is about as straight as shooter as you’re ever going to find,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “I’m telling you, when he’s mad at me, he tells me. When he’s mad at someone else, he tells you. He doesn’t hide. So when you hear him say things publicly, take it as fact. This isn’t him posturing. This isn’t these guys trying to raise the price on a fight or anything. This is a true emotion, a true feeling, because this is how these guys operate.”
——New YouTube video goes live at 5 PM Eastern/2 PM Pacific today. I discuss Khabib and his thoughts on Islam’s next fight. Is it going to be Illia?Is it going to be Paddy? Is it going to be Justin? much is happening right now at lightweight. Make sure you tap in.… pic.twitter.com/kbOKogeiQS
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 16, 2025
Cormier blamed Makhachev’s reluctance to fighting Topuria on all the oddball bookings he’s had to accept over his title reign. Volkanovski moving up, once on short notice. Dustin Poirier, not the best but the best the UFC could book at that moment. Renato Moicano, a last minute switcheroo opponent with Hail Mary chances. If Makhachev’s career ended tomorrow, Sherdoggers would shred his resume to pieces in any GOAT debate, be it divisional or pound-for-pound.
“Of his four fights, there are a lot of situations where he just didn’t probably feel the love,” Cormier said. “And if you’re trying to build a legacy, you gotta feel that love.”
“This update should not feel good for people that support the idea of Ilia Topuria fighting [Makhachev] next,” he concluded. “I’m just being honest with you because I’m telling you, I know these dudes, and I know when they talk to you, you might as well listen because they’re telling you the truth.”
“Love it or hate it, they’re telling you the truth. Dude ain’t doing what he doesn’t wanna do.”
