A former UFC BMF champion has shared his perspective on a highly anticipated potential superfight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria.
Sources had previously indicated that Ilia Topuria was prepared to vacate his featherweight title and potentially move up to welterweight for a clash with Islam Makhachev, with a rumored date of June 14 and even a White House setting. However, this anticipated bout was reportedly canceled after Topuria suffered a hand injury.
UFC President Dana White, however, later clarified that a Makhachev vs. Topuria bout was never officially scheduled for the UFC Freedom 250 event.
Currently, Topuria is slated to face Justin Gaethje, the two-time interim UFC lightweight champion, on June 14. Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev remains sidelined by the hand injury White previously noted, with no immediate timeline for his return or first defense of his lightweight title.
Jorge Masvidal Analyzes Potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria Superfight
During a discussion on his podcast, Jorge Masvidal delved into the hypothetical matchup between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. He acknowledged Topuria’s “unbelievable” hand power, capable of “sending anyone to the shadow realm,” but cautioned that if Makhachev successfully secures a takedown, the fight would likely be “all over” for “El Matador.”
Masvidal, also known as “Gamebred,” referenced Makhachev’s dominant welterweight debut at UFC 322, where he “ragdolled” Jack Della Maddalena for five rounds, dethroning the Australian champion with apparent ease.
He further commented that while Topuria and Della Maddalena are both exceptional strikers, Makhachev, the Dagestani wrestling maestro, operates at a significantly higher level when it comes to grappling.
Masvidal elaborated on the potential dynamics, stating, “I could see Islam taking Ilia down and making his day very, very long, or Ilia getting in there, using his hands and catching him.” He assessed Topuria as “maybe two notches faster than Makhachev” with “unreal, incomparable” power. However, he emphasized Makhachev’s relentless grappling: “Makhachev on the ground doesn’t get tired, can submit you from anywhere, and is just so damn good at getting to your legs and making you work.” He concluded by reiterating Makhachev’s dominance over high-level strikers, noting, “Jack’s striking is second to none, and Islam played with him.”
