KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV has revealed why protege Islam Makhachev is unlikely to fight Ilia Topuria.
A mouth-watering clash between the pair has been on the cards since Topuria vacated the featherweight title in February.
GETTYIslam Makhachev has a mammoth showdown with Ilia Topuria awaiting him[/caption]
GETTYBut the lightweight and pound-for-pound king seemingly wants Topuria to prove himself in the weight class before giving him a title shot[/caption]
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes a win of Topuria will do nothing for Makhachev’s legacy if the Georgian suffers back-to-back losses at lightweightGETTY
The bout, however, has yet to come to fruition, with reports claiming Makhachev wants the Georgian gladiator to prove himself in the division before giving him a title shot.
And according to Nurmagomedov, the pound-for-pound king has reservations about fighting the new fan favourite as he’s untested in the division.
He told Adam Zubayraev: “Let’s imagine, Islam beats Topuria, then Topuria fights again and loses.
“Basically, he was a nobody at 155lbs.
“And [then], Islam beat a guy who was a nobody at 155, in terms of Islam’s legacy.”
Makahchev hasn’t shown an ounce of vulnerability in his last three title defences against Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano.
But his critics have been quick to point out he’s only defended his belt against former featherweights.
And that fact is seemingly at the forefront of the champ’s mind when weighing up a fight with Topuria, despite the eyeballs and huge payday it would bring.
ReutersIslam Makhachev seemingly has reservations about fighting another former featherweight[/caption]
Nurmagomedov added: “Islam doesn’t want to fight Topuria, or Volkanovski or someone stepping in on short notice like Moicano.
“Islam wants to fight big names who really deserve it. Guys who have been in the 155 division for a long time.”
Nurmagomedov’s comments soon came to the attention of Topuria, who responded in typical cocksure fashion.
He wrote on X: “Khabib knows I’m the one to take the belt from Islam. Only reason he doesn’t want Islam to fight me.”
Nurmagomedov’s comments on Topuria challenging Makhachev for the lightweight throne come just days after Dana White provided an update on the Georgian-born Spaniard’s next outing.
He said in the UFC 314 post-fight press conference: “We’re working on it.
“We got a lot of s**t to do. He’s one of the biggest stars in the company.
“If we had something planned, we would’ve announced it already.”
Dagestani destroyer Makhachev hasn’t fought since making light work of Moicano in his record-breaking title defence at UFC 311 in January.
Topuria, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines since decimating fan favourite Max Holloway in their Abu Dhabi dust-up at UFC 308 last October.
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