February 20, 2025 6: 00 pm ET
Islam Makhachev’s manager would like to see Ilia Topuria earn his title shot at lightweight.
Topuria vacated his UFC featherweight title for a move up to 155 pounds. Lightweight champion Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) previously said he’s not interested in fighting another 145-pounder in Topuria, and his manager agrees.
Rizvan Magomedov suggests Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) face one of two top-ranked UFC lightweights to become No. 1 contender.
“Topuria vs Dustin/Charles contender fight, to prove he’s legit lightweight. So we don’t have to defeat another ‘small featherweight.’ We need big fight that make sense for everyone. We already gave chances to featherweight champ that was reigning for long time.”
Topuria vs Dustin/Charles contender fight, to prove he’s legit lightweight. So we don’t have to defeat another ‘small featherweight’ We need big fight that make sense for everyone.
We already gave chances to featherweight champ that was reigning for long time.
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