Ilia Topuria, one of the fastest blossoming featherweights in the UFC, He is in the limelight due to his bold decision of relinquishing his title in order to fight the king of lightweights, Islam Makhachev. His move created a buzz among fans as well as analysts as what may be the possible reason for such a high stake move which he could also avoid. El Matador has his own reasons for such a move. With the move he might want to test his fighting style, desire to cement his legacy and has personal motivation.
Dana White stated why the Georgian has taken such a high stake decision of his career. As per the UFC President, the now former FW champion felt he had achieved everything in the division and was finding it difficult to make the weight. In this article we will look at the five critical factors driving Topuria’s decision following such a matchup.
1. Desire to be the Greatest
Ilia Topuria exemplifies the mindset of an elite competitor and we can see the hunger in him to be the top contender in MMA. With a perfect score of 16-0-0 till now, he will not only be aiming to continue this record but also beat Khabib Nurmaomedov’s legacy by defeating Islam Makhachev. He would want to add a scar on his career record streak.
Defeating a pound-for-pound #1 ranked champion will enhance his credibility. Such an unpredictable move by him adds him in a discussion for being the greatest of all time. To challenge Makhachev when he is at the peak is going to be the toughest challenge. But he knows that history remembers those who took risks and this decision proves he wants to leave an impact in the UFC.
2. Career Move
It is going to be a career-making move as it shocks everyone by pulling out from the featherweight title. It requires guts to take such risks and there are many opportunities in lightweight which will pay him even more than defending the featherweight title. So, challenging up a weight class and into that title shot will attract the fans more to be a part of this match and buzz and this opportunity have way more earning potential. This change of direction is indicative of career development in professional sports.
3. Style-Combination and Challenge
Topuria with a zero loss in his UFC career is known for his aggressive, generalist style with striking and grappling aspects. On the other hand, Makhachev is also one of the best grapplers in the present day and it will be the battle between two of the best grapplers of the MMA scene. He thinks that going against the Dagestani would be an interesting challenge where he would be tested against one of the best grapplers in the present-day MMA scene.
The Georgian was seen supporting his countryman Merab Dvalishvili in his fight against Umar Nurmagomedov. In the battle between two grapplers “The Machine”, came out victorious to the delight of Topuria. El Matador was quick to mention how the Georgian fighting style was superior compared to the Dagestani style before challenging Makhachev.
To defeat Islam Makhachev is not an easy task for Ilia Topuria as throughout his career he has proven why he is the best. The current pound-for pound king has overcome all the major hurdles thrown from every opponent he faced which makes him the best in the lightweight division. Despite these stats, El Matador welcomes this challenge and has a clear aim to cement his legacy.
4. Marketing Prowess and Public Interest
Topuria versus Makhachev is already a big buzz in the MMA community which could enhance the marketability of both fighters down the line. Fights like these of top athletes not only attract the fans’ attention but also drive huge pay-per-view sales and media outlets. For Topuria, This fight would elevate his image and global recognition, positioning him as one of the sport’s biggest stars.
Whereas, Makhachev would be aiming to solidify and continue his legacy by dominating the lightweight division. Any nervousness surrounding this fight can translate into significant pay-per-view sales and recognition, especially around MMA.
5. Personal Motivation
It’s the internal motivation of Topuria that drives him for such a bold decision and craving to shield his legacy in MMA history. Every fighter has their different rivalry, drive that motivates them to challenge their opponents but Topuria’s case is different. Topuria is battling the craziness he has encountered or seen fit throughout his career’s path rather than just the title shot.
Conclusion
In summary, we can conclude that challenging the king of the lightweight, Islam Makhachev, shows the desire and hunger to be the best in the scene. Its the test of Topuria to show his versatility against one of the sport’s best wrestlers while adding to his legacy. This fight will surely attract fans attention and increase his marketability, drawing significant media attention and lucrative pay-per-view sales. Each of these elements contributes to making this potential matchup not only appealing but also significant for both fighters involved.
REDDAVENI SAISNEHA 
Ashvinkumar Patil 
Bhumika Joshi