Ilia Topuria can’t wait to be face-to-face with Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“La Leyenda” is moving up to 155 pounds with one target in mind: Defeating Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title. Currently the featherweight champion, Topuria officially vacates his title Saturday for Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes to compete for the belt in the UFC 314 main event.
A matchup between Topuria and Makhachev is yet to be made official, but Topuria has frequently mentioned the possibility of them fighting in the future. In an interview with PBD Podcast, Topuria was asked what advantages he feels he has over MMA Fighting’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound fighter and not only did he answer confidently, he had a message for Makhachev’s mentor as well.
“You ask me, I feel that I have the advantage in everything,” Topuria said. “This is what I truly believe. Me, personally, I would ask him, ‘What’s your favorite submission?’ Whatever, I don’t know, D’Arce choke. I’m going to submit you with that.”
“I take him close to Khabib. I will submit him closer to Khabib. Khabib used to take people on his shoulder, take them down, and talk to Dana. I will do it to Khabib. I will take [Makhachev] and then talk to Khabib. Khabib, I have to do it.”
Ilia Topuria vows to submit Islam Makhachev in front of Khabib Nurmagomedov
Ilia Topuria doesn’t just plan to beat Islam Makhachev, he wants to send a message to all-time great Khabib Nurmagomedov.
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