Khabib Nurmagomedov drops a shocking take on Ilia Topuria’s potential clash with Islam Makhachev

In a recent twist in the UFC narrative, Khabib Nurmagomedov shared his shocking take on Ilia Topuria facing the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion in a title bout. Rumors have been swirling for a while about Topuria’s possible matchup with Islam Makhachev—especially after the Spaniard impressively dispatched two of the UFC’s fiercest competitors, Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, in his last two bouts.

Adding fuel to the fire, Topuria has announced his decision to vacate his title in order to transition into a different weight category. This bold move has sparked even more excitement around a potential explosive encounter, with Khabib recently hinting at whether this high-stakes fight will come to fruition.

Khabib Nurmagomedov's bold perspective: The unfiltered verdict on Topuria vs. Makhachev

During a candid appearance on the Pound 4 Pound Podcast, Khabib Nurmagomedov delivered an unreserved opinion regarding Ilia Topuria’s next steps before stepping into the lightweight title shot. He made it clear that there are certain prerequisites a fighter must meet to earn such an opportunity. As he stated, “Without fighting at 155lbs, no (I don’t think Topuria deserves a title shot),” Nurmagomedov told Pound 4 Pound Podcast. This remark underscores his conviction that Topuria must prove his capabilities at the higher weight class before challenging the champion.

Nurmagomedov did not hold back in further explaining his stance on the matter. He continued, “Because Islam has already given a chance and people talk bad about the fact he fought twice against Volkanovski but the UFC pushed that fight and this fight was good but why does Islam have to give a chance three times for the 145lb champion? It’s not fair for 155lb contenders but if he moves up and beats someone like Charles Oliveira, of course. And I think he can beat him,” Nurmagomedov continued. His words convey a deep-seated belief in the importance of fairness and meritocracy within the sport. He hints that a fighter’s legacy and future in the division should be earned by proving success against top-tier opponents at the appropriate weight.

In his thoughtful reflection, Khabib Nurmagomedov emphasizes that the journey to greatness in the UFC is built on stepping up to the right challenges. He implies that bypassing the necessary trials in the new weight category may not only shortchange Ilia Topuria’s potential but could also disrupt the balance among fighters who have already proven their worth at 155lbs. This perspective has resonated with many fans who appreciate his straightforward and unfiltered approach—reminding everyone that every contender must earn their shot at glory.

Khabib’s Nurmagomedov observations continue to fuel discussions across the MMA community, where debates over fairness and opportunity are as heated as the fights themselves. As enthusiasts and experts await further developments, his remarks have undeniably added a compelling layer to the narrative of what could be one of the sport’s most anticipated clashes.