David Akhaladze

Topuria is still awaits for Makhachev in the cage

Ilia Topuria is resting. But he still continues to discuss a possible brawl against non other but Islam Makhachev. The legend. The guy with some unrealistic streaks under his belt.

Topuria is the UFC lightweight champion. He will be left as a watcher on UFC 324, while Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethjie will fight for a vacant title in the same weight category. This will be an interim UFC championship belt on the grabs. The winner of this fight will next face Topuria for the undisputed belt at some time in 2026.

Nut Topuria’s eyes are on a fight the whole UFC world is begging for. He aims for a third belt. This has never been done in UFC universe. But to do so, Ilia has to go through Oslam Makhachev for the 155-pound strap. The problem is, Islam made the decision to go to welterweight and won the title battle there. Topuria has to weight. A little at least.

And Ilia thinks, that his ground powers will match up well against Islam.

This is not a given, but Ilia is still well aware of Islam’s ground strokes and powers. Ilia still considers his ground game to be his strong side versus Islam. It is not what the crowd would expect from this potential crush, but the win is a win, thinks Ilia.

And Topuria is waiting for this battle to happen. But first he has to face up the Pimblett/ Gaethjie winner and after all, take a rest.

To face Islam, you need to be 100 percent focused, rested and concentrated. Facing a beast is not a moonwalk. Ilia has to upgrade his game.

And, he knows that.