Ilia Topuria has been warned to be careful what he wishes for by one of MMA’s most enduring voices. He knocked out two of the most decorated featherweight in the same calendar year. The undefeated featherweight champion has even hinted at a shift north to 155-pound limits. Topuria, naturally cocky and bold, recently named Khabib Nurmagomedov as a dream opponent.
Both are similar weights; ‘Eagle’ soared a bit too high on his natural hydration limits. This was the start of Camp Topuria (Team Climent Club MMA) considering he needs to shift up. Even opposing forces like Nurmagomedov’s coach Javier Mendez agree on it. However, pioneer referee John McCarthy warned the Spaniard against such a matchup.
Look, Ilia Topuria is so good…But what he thinks would happen in the standup is not quite what would happen and what he thinks would happen on the ground is definitely not what would happen…you are a guy who has got good jiu-jitsu, decent wrestling, a good ground game, Khabib proved that his wrestling for MMA was better than everybody’s! Topuria would be taken down and systematically the fight would fall down in terms of his chances
‘Big’ John McCarthy in the “Weighing In” podcast #532 (@WeighingIn)
Co-host Josh Thomson, a longtime friend of Team Nurmagomedov, voiced his clear bias about it. However, McCarthy more objectively explained how the Dagestani’s wrestling has been the best ever in UFC circles.
The Eagle’s top-mount domination and ability to ground and pound from such pockets are something even old rivals still commend. Ask bold ‘Diamond’ Dustin Poirier who has faced both him and Islam Makhachev in the smacking middle of their primes.
Ilia Topuria’s dream fight is against Khabib Nurmagomedov:
“I would be happy to enter the octagon with Khabib Nurmagomedov. He had an undefeated record at 29-0 and he had an attractive record for me, then also history.
He is a worthy and honourable champion for me. [I would… pic.twitter.com/km3NZLwOxA
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 25, 2024
After UFC 308’s Pay-per-view (PPV) main card headliner from Etihad Arena, Ilia Topuria has even engaged with Makhachev for it. Even Mendez (his head coach) considers “El Matador” to be able to hydrate to the limits and become a true lightweight, facing the likes of Charles Oliveira and all. However, the case of Nurmagomedov is just different.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts to Ilia Topuria’s proposed move to lightweight
Who in the history of the UFC can claim to knock out two of the top three fighters in their division in their prime, in consecutive bouts, in one calendar year? Ilia Topuria can. Global MMA publications like USAToday Sports, Sportsnet.ca, and others had him in the lead for 2024 Male Fighter of the Year. His KO over gritty Hawaiian Max Holloway was also in the running for KOTY before the MMA awards.
Khabib Nurmagomedov wants Ilia Topuria to earn his title shot (Source: X/IMAGO)At 16-0 MMA and 8-0 UFC, Topuria has teased a move up and called for a fight with “Do Bronx.” He has cleaned his division for good and if he can, he’d like to reach to Makhachev’s guard. Does his domination warrant him the chance though? Khabib Nurmagomedov would like to see the UFC featherweight champion earn his shot before it.
I think if he moves up and he beats somebody like Dustin Poirier or Charles Oliveira then he’s next in line. Why not? …Without fighting at 155? No, I don’t agree, …
Khabib Nurmagomedov via the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudo” Podcast
Nurmagomedov opposes an immediate title shot. He has already seen Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) come under fire for making his first two title defenses against former featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski. So, to give a third chance to a 145-pound belt holder is unfair for the Dagestani icon.
However, he said Topuria deserves it when he clears the field, just as in featherweight. Makhachev’s next title defense comes in a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan, headlining UFC 311 on January 18th at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
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