The matchup between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev is one of the most highly anticipated fights in the UFC. Both fighters have been making waves in their respective weight classes, and a potential clash between them is something fans are eager to see. While the fight has not been officially booked yet, UFC fighters have been weighing in with their predictions and opinions on how the fight would unfold, and the answers have been diverse and intriguing.
Ilia Topuria: The Rising Star
Ilia Topuria, an undefeated Georgian-born fighter, has been on an absolute tear in the UFC’s featherweight division. With an impressive blend of striking, grappling, and power, Topuria has quickly established himself as one of the brightest young stars in the sport. His recent wins have shown that he’s not just a contender, but a serious threat to the upper echelon of the division.
Topuria’s rise has caught the attention of fans and fighters alike, and many believe his aggressive fighting style could make for an exciting showdown against the reigning lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev.
UFC Fighters on Topuria’s Strengths: Several UFC fighters have praised Topuria’s versatility. His ability to seamlessly switch between striking and grappling, along with his ferocious pace, has made him a nightmare for his opponents. Fighters like Bryce Mitchell and Dan Hooker have commented on his well-rounded game, noting that Topuria is one of the most dangerous rising stars due to his well-balanced skill set.
Potential Challenges for Topuria: However, there are concerns about whether Topuria can handle the pace and technical mastery of a fighter like Makhachev. Topuria’s aggressive style can sometimes leave him open to counters, and Makhachev’s elite grappling could neutralize Topuria’s striking game.
Islam Makhachev: The Technical Champion
Islam Makhachev, the UFC lightweight champion, is often hailed as one of the most well-rounded fighters in the world. His exceptional grappling, coupled with a high fight IQ and striking improvements, has made him nearly unstoppable. Makhachev is currently on a long win streak, dominating some of the best fighters in the world with his dominant control and suffocating wrestling.
Makhachev’s ability to impose his will on opponents and win in a calculated, methodical manner has earned him comparisons to his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Given that Makhachev has handled top-tier opponents like Charles Oliveira and Alexander Volkanovski, many believe he could be a tough challenge for Topuria.
UFC Fighters on Makhachev’s Dominance: Fighters like Kamaru Usman and Michael Chiesa have praised Makhachev’s well-rounded style, with Chiesa noting Makhachev’s seamless transitions from striking to grappling. They believe his ability to control the octagon and impose his grappling is one of the most dangerous elements in MMA today.
Potential Challenges for Makhachev: Despite his dominance, there are fighters who believe Makhachev could face trouble against an opponent like Topuria. Topuria’s explosive power, unorthodox striking, and the ability to catch his opponents off guard with quick transitions could test Makhachev in a way he hasn’t been challenged before.
UFC Fighters’ Predictions on Topuria vs. Makhachev
When it comes to predicting a fight between Topuria and Makhachev, UFC fighters have offered a wide range of opinions, showcasing just how unpredictable and fascinating this matchup would be.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Prediction: As Makhachev’s mentor and one of the most dominant fighters in MMA history, Khabib was asked about the potential matchup. He expressed confidence in Makhachev’s ability to control the fight, citing Islam’s technical skills, wrestling, and ability to dictate the pace. However, Khabib also acknowledged that Topuria’s striking power and aggression could pose a significant challenge. “Topuria is a dangerous fighter, but Makhachev is very experienced, and his style is very hard to deal with,” Khabib said. He predicted a victory for Makhachev, likely via decision or late submission.
Michael Bisping’s Take: Former middleweight champion Michael Bisping sees this fight as one that could be closer than many might think. He noted that while Makhachev has the wrestling advantage, Topuria’s ability to land big shots and mix up his attacks could make for an unpredictable and exciting contest. Bisping said, “Makhachev has the clear wrestling advantage, but I think Topuria could catch him with something if he doesn’t stay focused.” Bisping believes Makhachev will eventually get the win, but Topuria could definitely make it competitive.
Dustin Poirier’s Prediction: Lightweight contender Dustin Poirier has faced both top strikers and grapplers in his career, and he believes that Makhachev would be the favorite in this matchup. Poirier highlighted Makhachev’s elite grappling and control, saying, “Topuria has power, but Makhachev is a different level when it comes to controlling the fight.” Poirier predicted a win for Makhachev, potentially via submission in the later rounds, but also acknowledged that Topuria’s striking is a serious threat.
Sean O’Malley’s Opinion: Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who is known for his stand-up skills, leaned toward Topuria as a potential upset winner. O’Malley pointed to Topuria’s explosiveness and striking accuracy, suggesting that if he can avoid Makhachev’s takedowns, he could land a knockout shot. O’Malley added, “If Topuria catches him clean, Makhachev could be in trouble. But the question is, can he avoid being taken down for five rounds?” O’Malley said he would lean toward Topuria in a close, exciting battle.
Daniel Cormier’s Thoughts: Former two-division champion Daniel Cormier, who knows a thing or two about elite wrestling, gave Makhachev the edge in this fight. Cormier pointed out that Makhachev’s wrestling and overall fight IQ would likely overpower Topuria’s aggression. “Topuria is tough, but I think Makhachev controls the fight. Islam’s wrestling and ground control is too much,” Cormier said. He predicted a win for Makhachev via unanimous decision or potentially a late submission.
What Makes This Fight So Intriguing?
The appeal of a potential Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev fight lies in the contrasting styles of the two fighters. Makhachev’s technical, calculated approach versus Topuria’s wild aggression and striking power creates a dynamic that would make for a thrilling fight. Makhachev is known for his control, but Topuria’s explosiveness and willingness to take risks could keep Makhachev on edge.
It’s a fight that could be decided by Makhachev’s ability to neutralize Topuria’s aggression and control the pace with his grappling, or by Topuria’s ability to land a knockout blow and keep the fight standing. UFC fans and fighters alike are eagerly awaiting the day this battle might take place, as it has all the makings of a classic.
Conclusion
While the official bout hasn’t been confirmed yet, the UFC community is buzzing about the potential showdown between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev. UFC fighters seem to lean towards Makhachev due to his grappling superiority, fight IQ, and experience, but many also recognize Topuria’s explosive striking as a serious threat. Whether it’s Makhachev’s calculated control or Topuria’s power and aggression, this fight promises to be one of the most exciting matchups in the UFC. Fans can only hope that it happens soon, as both men have proven themselves worthy of a shot at greatness.
