Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria? MMA Fans Connect the Dots

Islam Makhachev is the UFC lightweight champion, and he is also one of the most dominant fighters in all of mixed martial arts. His grappling is suffocating, his fight IQ is unmatched, and his ability to control opponents makes him a nightmare in the cage.

Many believe that the 33-year-old Russian star athlete is already in the conversation for the best lightweight of all time, and if he keeps winning, that claim will only grow stronger.

But just as Makhachev seems to have cleared out the division, a new challenge is emerging. Ilia Topuria, the newly crowned UFC featherweight champion, is making waves, and his rapid rise has captured the attention of the MMA world.

Islam / IG / Recently, Makhachev shared a cryptic message on Instagram, standing next to fire extinguishers with the caption: “Someone needs to be put out.” That was all it took for fans to speculate.

Could this be a hint that the UFC is setting up a blockbuster showdown between the lightweight king and the featherweight phenom?

Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria Will Be a Massive Clash

Makhachev dominates with relentless wrestling, precise submissions, and an ironclad defense. He learned from the best, following in the footsteps of Khabib Nurmagomedov, and has turned every fight into a masterclass in control. Opponents struggle to land clean shots on him, and when he gets them to the ground, escaping is nearly impossible.

On the other hand, Topuria, 28, brings a completely different kind of danger. His striking is fast, powerful, and explosive. He can knock out opponents with one punch or catch them in slick submissions. While many featherweights rely on speed and movement, Topuria combines that with knockout power, making him a unique threat at 145 pounds.

Now, with his sights set on lightweight, he is looking to prove his skills translate to the bigger division.

Can Topuria Handle Makhachev’s Ground Game?

This is the big question. Makhachev has made elite grapplers look helpless. His ability to take opponents down and smother them for rounds is one of the reasons he has been so dominant. Even world-class fighters have struggled to find a way to stop him from imposing his will.

However, Topuria is no slouch on the ground. He has a solid wrestling background and a dangerous submission game. Unlike many strikers, he doesn’t panic when fights hit the mat. But dealing with Makhachev’s suffocating top pressure is another challenge entirely.

If he can stay on his feet long enough to land his strikes, he might be able to turn this into a war.

It Will be a Fight of Power & Precision

If this fight stays standing, Topuria has a real chance. His striking is crisp, aggressive, and unpredictable. He mixes body shots with head strikes effortlessly and doesn’t hesitate to press forward. He has knocked out durable fighters before, proving that his power is a real threat.

Topuria / IG / While the core strength of Topuria is his raw power, precision is what makes Makhachev stand out.

Makhachev, though, is no longer just a wrestler. His striking has improved dramatically, and he has shown he can hurt opponents on the feet. He is not reckless, and that is what makes him dangerous. He waits for openings, stays patient, and capitalizes on mistakes.

Against someone like Topuria, he would likely avoid wild exchanges and look for the perfect moment to counter or shoot for a takedown.

MMA fans are buzzing over the possibility of this fight. Many think Topuria’s striking could pose a real problem for Makhachev. And others believe the lightweight champ’s wrestling is too much for the featherweight star.