Kamaru Usman Urges Dana White To Book Ilia Topuria Vs Islam Makhachev Next

Ilia Topuria, fresh off his move from featherweight, is eager to face lightweight champion Islam Makhachev—who also holds the title of pound-for-pound king in the sport. However, Makhachev is hesitant Ilia Topuria, fresh off his move from featherweight, is eager to face lightweight champion Islam Makhachev—who also holds the title of pound-for-pound king in the sport. However, Makhachev is hesitant

Known for his belief in merit, the Dagestani champion has made it clear that Topuria must “prove himself” worthy of a title shot, likely by defeating at least one top-ranked 155-pound contender. Known for his belief in merit, the Dagestani champion has made it clear that Topuria must “prove himself” worthy of a title shot, likely by defeating at least one top-ranked 155-pound contender.

Kamaru Usman disagrees with Islam Makhachev's next fight, suggesting he should face Ilia Topuria instead. Usman believes this fight would benefit Makhachev's career and legacy, posing a necessary challenge for the 155lbs champion. Kamaru Usman disagrees with Islam Makhachev's next fight, suggesting he should face Ilia Topuria instead. Usman believes this fight would benefit Makhachev's career and legacy, posing a necessary challenge for the 155lbs champion.

“Ilia Topuria, I believe, is definitely next. Put him up there because Islam needs a new face and I honestly believe this is the biggest fight that you can make for Islam. And I think Islam deserves that. Islam has worked, he’s put time in, you know “Ilia Topuria, I believe, is definitely next. Put him up there because Islam needs a new face and I honestly believe this is the biggest fight that you can make for Islam. And I think Islam deserves that. Islam has worked, he’s put time in, you know

I believe he needs that big fight to put him there, and I think this is the fight to put him there, okay, to where he’s a standalone champion,” Usman told co-host Henry Cejudo on their ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast. I believe he needs that big fight to put him there, and I think this is the fight to put him there, okay, to where he’s a standalone champion,” Usman told co-host Henry Cejudo on their ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast.

Indeed, the Makhachev-Topuria showdown is arguably the most exciting—and potentially the biggest—fight that could be made in the sport right now. Indeed, the Makhachev-Topuria showdown is arguably the most exciting—and potentially the biggest—fight that could be made in the sport right now.

From a pure quality-of-fight perspective, it might even surpass Jones-Aspinall, despite the latter likely pulling in bigger numbers as a heavyweight unification bout.

Ilia Topuria's popularity soars after knocking out featherweight legends, a win over him could cement Makhachev's dominance and create a "Conor-Khabib moment".

A victory that elevates him into an entirely different stratosphere within the sport. But Makhachev remains unconvinced, with reasons that are compelling from his perspective, reasons that Topuria, naturally, disagrees with. A victory that elevates him into an entirely different stratosphere within the sport. But Makhachev remains unconvinced, with reasons that are compelling from his perspective, reasons that Topuria, naturally, disagrees with.