Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev are holding firm on who deserves the next lightweight title shot.
Earlier this year, featherweight champion Ilia Topuria vacated his title, declaring his intention to move up to 155 pounds and pursue the lightweight belt. Fans immediately started speculating about a superfight between Makhachev and Topuria, but the lightweight champion has remained cool on the idea of giving a title shot to another 145-pound champion, having already done so twice for Alexander Volkanovski. And despite increasing support for the fight, Makhachev and his team aren’t changing their tune.
“My personal opinion — not necessarily [more] dangerous, let’s say more competitive — I think it’s [Arman] Tsarukyan,” Khabib Nurmagomedov told Adam Zubayraev recently. “I think Arman is a more serious fighter than Topuria. Topuria is a good fighter at 145 but we haven’t seen him at 155. I believe Arman is more competitive for Islam than Topuria. …
“I don’t know what kind of agreements Topuria and the UFC had, but from Islam’s side, he already gave two title shots to 145 champions. Both times Islam won. Now a third time — OK, let’s imagine Topuria moves up and gets a title shot right away, Islam beats him, then Topuria fights again, he loses again. So basically [a] nobody at 155. Islam beat a guy who was a nobody at 155. Because of that, in terms of legacy for Islam, for his resume, I understand Islam’s risks, too. That’s why Islam says let him fight, let him become a real contender.”
Makhachev was supposed to defend his title against Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 in January, however, Tsarukyan withdrew from the bout the day of weigh-ins, leading to Renato Moicano to step in on 24 hours’ notice. Makhachev won by first-round submission, breaking the record for most lightweight title defenses in UFC history. Two of those defenses came against then-featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, including the first one taking place in Volkanovski’s home-country of Australia, so it’s understandable that Makhachev is less interested in doing that again.
“Islam will fight anyone,” Nurmagomedov said. “Islam himself said ‘I will fight any fighter.’ But every time with Islam, OK, once, twice, now a third time they’re giving him a 145 champion moving up to 155. Come on now. Islam also deserves a say in this. He’s the best fighter and he fought the 145 champ, he flew to him. He went to Australia and fought him in his backyard, fought him at home. That’s why we as a team believe Topuria is a worthy fighter, he is a champion, he defended the belt, beat very serious guys. You see all the guys at 145, even [Max] Holloway, who he beat, when he moved up to 155 he did nothing.
“Islam doesn’t have much time left either. If you think about it, Islam will be 34 soon. So Islam doesn’t want to fight Topuria or Volkanovski or someone stepping in on short notice like [Renato] Moicano. Islam wants to fight big names who really deserve it. Guys who have been at 155 for a long time. We have nothing personal here but if you’re moving up a weight class, earn it. That’s more or less our stance.”
For what it’s worth, Topuria isn’t the only champion looking to move up. As the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, Makhachev has repeatedly let it be known he wishes to chase down a second title as well, even offering to jump up to middleweight if necessary. But with Belal Muhammad set to defend his welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 next month, Makhachev may not need to resort to such drastic measures.
“Islam wants to move up to 170 but we can’t fight there because Belal is there,” Nurmagomedov said. “He’s a close friend to us. That’s why we can’t put relationships above titles. That’s just not how we do things. …
“If Maddalena were the champion, Islam would’ve already fought him. But as I understand it, the UFC is waiting for the May event where Belal and Maddlena will fight. Personally, I want Belal to win. I sincerely hope he does. But if Maddalena wins, I think the UFC could offer Islam a fight with Maddalena at 170.”
