UFC CEO Dana White has once again stirred excitement among MMA fans, teasing a potential blockbuster clash between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev. While both fighters currently reside in different weight divisions, White has not ruled out the possibility of a future superfight — provided the stars align just right.
Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev: A superfight in the making?
The MMA community has long speculated about a showdown between "El Matador" Topuria and former lightweight kingpin Makhachev. What once seemed like fantasy is now edging closer to reality — at least in Dana White’s playbook. Speaking on the FULL SEND Podcast, White commented on the buzz surrounding the matchup:
“Another massive fight would be Ilia vs. Islam, too,” White said. “Islam moves up, and obviously if Islam won the [welterweight] title, you immediately have a superfight with him and Ilia… I don’t like hypothetical. These are options that we have if things play out that way, but you never know what’s going to happen.”
His comments have reignited speculation and set the MMA rumor mill spinning once again.
A timeline of shifting titles and strategic moves
Earlier this year, Ilia Topuria vacated his featherweight belt, sparking immediate chatter about a potential cross-division matchup with Islam Makhachev. The idea gained traction when UFC appeared to be building toward a main event at UFC 317 during International Fight Week. However, a surprise victory by Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 threw a wrench in those plans, altering the championship picture in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
With Maddalena now the welterweight champion, Makhachev saw a new path unfold. The Dagestani standout, who had shown little interest in facing Belal Muhammad when he held the title, seized the opportunity to chase two-division glory — vacating his lightweight crown in the process.
Ilia Topuria, now without a division of his own, was slotted to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant 155-pound strap, further complicating the timeline for a superfight with Islam Makhachev.
Dana White remains open-minded
Despite the chaos and reshuffling, Dana White remains optimistic — if cautious. He emphasized that while nothing is guaranteed, the matchup between Topuria and Makhachev remains one of the most lucrative and exciting possibilities on the UFC horizon.
“These are options that we have if things play out that way,” White reiterated. “But you never know what’s going to happen.”
With both fighters evolving rapidly and division titles constantly shifting, the potential for a future Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev battle remains alive — though dependent on a myriad of variables. Whether or not it happens in 2025, UFC fans are surely watching every move.