MMA news: Ilia Topuria trash-talks Islam Makhachev ahead of potential fight
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has talked up his chances of defeating UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in a potential bout.
The Spaniard is in Sydney for UFC 312 this Saturday, where he will corner his brother Aleksandre on the prelims.
Topuria does not currently have a fight signed but reiterated his desire to move up to 155 pounds in order to take on Makhachev.
Sports News Blitz writer Niall Togher reports on the story.
Topuria seeks fight with Makhachev
During an interview on the MAIN EVENT YouTube channel, Topuria said that he is open to defending his featherweight title if that is what the UFC wants but would prefer to fight Makhachev.
“This is something that I want to do,” Topuria said in reference to fighting the Russian.
“The UFC knows that but, at the end of the day, this is something that the UFC decides. They know how to run the business, they know how to do it, and they have a lot of experience,” he continued.
“So, if they tell me that they want me to keep defending the belt in the 145 division, maybe I will do that. But if they let me go up to 155, I will do that also. [For] me personally, what I want to do is to move up to 155, because I know for a fact that I can become a two-weight world champion.”
Although many consider Makhachev the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Topuria remains confident in his abilities.
“I’m the best fighter in the world, so I know I can do whatever I want to do with [Makhachev] because I know that I am much better than him,” he promised with characteristic ease.
Potential rematch with Volkanovski
Topuria further stated that, if he stays at featherweight, his next fight could be a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski as “no one else deserves the fight more than him”.
However, Topuria cautioned against a match-up with the man he defeated at UFC 298.
“I don’t want to do it again because I like Volk, and I know what’s going to happen if we face each other again,” he explained. “I represent a new generation of mixed martial arts. I bring a different type of game that he’s not used to, so I know what’s going to happen.
“Maybe next time, instead of knocking him out, I will submit him.”
MORE FROM NIALL TOGHER: MMA news: ‘Easy payday!’ - Dricus Du Plessis responds to potential fight against Islam Makhachev
