David Akhaladze

Topuria vs Makhachev is still on

Islam Makhachev is the new UFC P4P world number 1. He became a two-division champion after a dominant win over Della Maddalena. And still, the world of martial arts, fans and mass media await for a fight between Islam UFS lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria.

Ilia is gunning for this fight.

But as for Islam, he is still disinterested in facing Topuria. Still, Makhachev has to cut down his weight to make this fight possible.

Islam stated, that it has to be a real good offer from UFC to start cutting back to 155. He insists, that age is a huge factor, because he is not getting young and every weight cut takes years off his health. It is not as easy as before to cut weight.

As for Topuria, he is eager to give a chance to Paddy Pimblett instead of Arman Tsarukyan for the title defence bout.

Ilia is still awaiting for the Islam fight possibility, but sees Paddy and not Arman as his potential next opponent.

For Ilia, Pimblett might be the next and if UFC does not let fight Makhachev for the third belt, he faces Paddy. Another chance, where Ilia sees a possible clash with Islam a realistic shot, is if UFC will create a new belt called P4P in a weight where he will get his chance.

So far, the dream bout is just a dream.

We wait for the final say from UFC.