Ilia Topuria’s meteoric rise in the UFC continues to spark comparisons with some of the sport’s biggest icons, and now that discussion has been fueled further by comments from Islam Makhachev.
As one of Topuria’s most significant potential rivals, Makhachev offered a detailed breakdown of how the reigning lightweight champion stacks up against former two-division king Conor McGregor.
Ilia Topuria’s rapid ascent and superstar aura
Topuria has firmly established himself as one of the UFC’s most bankable stars. Earlier this year, “El Matador” cemented his status by becoming a two-division champion, brutally knocking out former lightweight titleholder Charles Oliveira.
His dominant performances, coupled with an unapologetic confidence, have turned him into a major pay-per-view attraction.
Much like Conor McGregor during his prime years, Ilia Topuria thrives on self-belief, sharp trash talk, and psychological warfare.
His charisma, media presence, and willingness to call out top names have helped him cross over beyond hardcore MMA audiences, generating global hype similar to the Irish superstar’s early run.
Striking style fuels Conor McGregor parallels
The comparison has only grown louder due to stylistic similarities. Both fighters favor aggressive, striking-heavy approaches and consistently hunt for knockouts rather than relying on conservative, decision-based victories.
Topuria has also drawn attention for embracing bold fashion choices and a larger-than-life persona, elements that once defined McGregor’s rise to superstardom.
When asked directly to compare the two, Islam Makhachev provided a nuanced assessment based on his firsthand experience against McGregor and his analysis of Topuria’s current dominance.
“I think when it comes to pure power, maybe Topuria has more. But as a counter-puncher, I think McGregor was better. His timing, how he waited… The way he met his opponents with his left hand, making them miss and countering. I think that was on another level,” said Islam Makhachev via Ushatayka.
Context from a historic rivalry
Islam Makhachev famously witnessed McGregor’s clash with Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, a bout that ended with Conor McGregor being overwhelmed by relentless grappling and pressure before a submission finish. The rivalry between the Nurmagomedov camp and McGregor remains intense, adding further weight to Makhachev’s perspective.
As Ilia Topuria continues to dominate, the McGregor comparisons are unlikely to fade anytime soon—especially with rivals weighing in on the debate.