Islam Makhachev is the current UFC Lightweight Champion. He earned the title on October 22, 2022, by defeating Charles Oliveira. Now that he’s on top, all eyes are on him—especially from Spain’s rising star, Ilia Topuria.
Topuria isn’t just talking about winning. He’s aiming to embarrass Makhachev in the Octagon. He boldly said he wants to beat him right in front of his legendary coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Ilia Topuria Predicts Memorable Submission Victory Over Islam Makhachev
It all started with rising star Mauricio Ruffy, who dreamed of ending Islam Makhachev’s reign in the lightweight division. Ruffy even hoped Conor McGregor would be there to watch him take down the 33-year-old champ.
But now, Ilia Topuria has stepped into the picture—and he’s coming in even stronger. Unlike Ruffy, Topuria isn’t just aiming to beat Makhachev—he wants to embarrass him with a submission win.
A fight between Topuria and Makhachev hasn’t been made official yet, but Topuria keeps bringing it up. In a chat on the PBD Podcast, he shared how confident he feels going up against the No. 1 pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world.
And he didn’t stop there—he even had a bold message for Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. The 28-year-old said, “I take him close to Khabib. I will submit him closer to Khabib…I will take [Makhachev] and talk to Khabib, ‘Khabib, I have to do it’.”
Ilia Topuria’s Meteoric Rise Fuels Bold Predictions in UFC and Beyond
Ilia Topuria is making a lot of noise in the world of mixed martial arts. Not only is he dominating in the octagon, but his bold statements are also catching attention. From claiming he will become the richest athlete in the world to challenging lightweight champion Islam Makhachev with a promise to submit him, Topuria’s confidence is clear for all to see.
With an undefeated record of 15-0, Topuria has proven himself against some of the best fighters in the world. His performances inside the cage show that he’s serious about his goals. Topuria believes that his winning streak is tough to break, and that’s what fuels his confidence. He feels like he can achieve anything and reach the highest level.
Ilia Topuria has the most elite boxing skill set in UFC history. (I’ve been saying this)
If any current MMA fighter were to crossover into the boxing world in a huge bout against a big name…Ilia has the best chance at getting it done imo.
pic.twitter.com/1gcVEncHj2— JG (@JakeGerberMMA) April 11, 2025
But even with all his confidence, Topuria makes sure not to disrespect anyone. He’s said many times that he doesn’t want anyone to look down on him. His mentality is all about pushing himself without trying to put others down. Although it might seem impossible to reach such a high level right now, if Topuria keeps believing in himself and works hard, there’s no doubt he can get there one day.
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