UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has been outspoken about his desire to challenge reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. He reinforced this goal last year while speaking to El Chiringuito, stating, “I’m on the verge of making some decisions… I’m closer to making a fight with (Islam) Makhachev—that’s what interests me the most.” His ambition to become a two-division champion and claim two UFC belts is clear. However, is that the only reason behind his push to move up in weight?

Both ‘El Matador’ and Makhachev have established themselves as dominant forces in their respective divisions. Since making his UFC debut in 2020, Topuria has remained undefeated, while Islam Makhachev, a veteran of the sport, has suffered just one loss in his entire career and has been unbeaten since 2015. Given their resumes, a potential clash between the two has generated excitement among fans eager to see how they would match up inside the Octagon. Despite Ilia Topuria’s calls for a superfight, UFC President Dana White believes the featherweight champion must first solidify his position in his own division before making the jump to lightweight. Having only defended his title once, White insists that ‘El Matador’ still has unfinished business at 145 lbs.

Start With the Truth” – Ilia Topuria Faces a Reality Check as UFC Legend Spills Cold Water on Plans to Fight Islam Makhachev – EssentiallySports

“Before we start talking about guys moving up to other weight classes, I mean, look at Max Holloway. When he moved up, he had wiped out the entire division [and proved to be] the best 145-pounder, and then Volkanovski [did the same]. So there’s plenty of challenges [left] for him [Topuria] at 145,” White explained.

Does this mean the highly anticipated showdown between Islam Makhachev and Topuria at 155 lbs is out of reach? Not necessarily. Former fighter-turned-analyst Chael Sonnen recently shared his thoughts on the situation in a YouTube video, offering Ilia Topuria a reality check and probing the real motivation behind his desire to move up to the lightweight division – “If Topuria really wants to do this, he’s going to have to start with the truth. If his truth is, ‘I can’t make 145 anymore,’ let me just encourage you to stop. If his truth has nothing to do with something personal against Islam, let me just encourage you to stop.

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“But if he says, ‘I want to fight Islam or nothing—this is the most important thing to me,’ then don’t make 145 again. Make it known that you won’t be making 145 again. Declare yourself a 155-er, and you will instantly be the number one contender,” Sonnen explained. Sonnen’s advice holds weight, as Dana White has never been one to disrupt an entire division just to generate hype for a superfight. The UFC CEO recently reinforced this stance by shutting down Islam Makhachev’s potential move to the 185 lbs division.

Dana White threw cold water on Islam Makhachev’s middleweight dreamMuch like Ilia Topuria, Islam Makhachev also dreams of becoming a two-division champion. At 33 years old, Makhachev, regardless of how much time remains in his career, is determined to dominate another division. He has already defended his lightweight title four times against tough challengers. Initially, the Dagestani prospect considered competing in the welterweight division at 170 pounds. However, his close friend and sparring partner, Belal Muhammad, currently holds the welterweight title, prompting Makhachev to shift his focus to middleweight (185 lbs).

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“Just give me the chance, that’s it. I will fight with [Dricus] du Plessis. If they give me the chance, I will fight with him also. I swear, if Dana White sends me the contract, I will fight with him also,” Islam Makhachev said at the UFC 311 post-fight presser last month.

While the ‘Team Khabib’ rule discourages fighting friends or teammates, UFC President Dana White isn’t entirely on board with Islam Makhachev moving to middleweight. White is open to the idea of the 155lbs champ moving up to 170 pounds but has concerns about Makhachev jumping all the way to 185 pounds. “He would move up to middleweight? Yeah, I don’t know about all that. Listen, if he wants to move up to 170 [pounds], we can talk. But moving up to 185 is a whole other level,” Dana White said.

What do you think about Chael Sonnen’s comments? Do you believe this will be the deciding factor for Dana White in making a fight against Islam Makhachev, or will he need to consider a move to lightweight for Ilia Topuria as well? Share your thoughts below.