The reigning welterweight champion is not convinced that Ilia Topuria’s power will carry over into the higher weight class.
Since making his name in the featherweight division, Topuria has been open about his ambition to achieve something no one else has done in the UFC.
Following his knockout win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 last June, which earned him the lightweight title, he is now just one belt away from becoming the first fighter to claim championships across three divisions in UFC history.
Currently, Islam Makhachev stands between him and that goal. The Dagestani champion does not seem to be too concerned about the challenge from Topuria.
Islam Makhachev sees Michael Morales as a bigger threat than Ilia Topuria at welterweight
The idea of facing Topuria is something Makhachev has addressed quite a bit recently.
With the UFC White House event still a big topic of conversation, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s heir had said he would be willing to take on the Spaniard in Washington D.C.
He has since walked that back, admitting his first title defence at welterweight will come against an established contender.
But even if the fight with ‘El Matador’ had been made, it does not sound like Makhachev would have felt his position was under threat.
Speaking to Ushatayka, the Dagestani star downplayed the challenge of Topuria moving up in weight, suggesting Michael Morales poses a bigger risk on the feet.
“I think Morales is way more dangerous as a puncher,” said Makhachev (via Red Corner MMA).
“He puts people to sleep with damn near every shot he lands. I don’t see Topuria being as dangerous at 170 as he is at 155 because the size is different, the weight is different and the height is different.
“It will be much easier for welterweights to fight Topuria. I don’t see any danger from Topuria if he comes up to 170.”
Coach Javi Clement is confident Ilia Topuria will finish Justin Gaethje in the first exchange
For now, it looks like the Spaniard’s next move will come against the current interim champion of his division.
Before any talk of a third divisional title, he will need to deal with Justin Gaethje in a unification bout set to headline the UFC event at the White House on June 14.
Topuria’s coach is guaranteeing a quick night at the office for his fighter, while ‘The Highlight’ aims to conclude the national celebration with a significant American victory.
Speaking to Alvaro Colmenero, coach Javi Clement said: “I’m not going to say 30 seconds, a minute, or two minutes, but 100 percent it would be in the first round and 100 percent in the first exchange.
“I am 100 percent sure that no matter how strong Justin Gaethje is, no matter how much he wants to win, when Ilia connects with you, you’re not going to walk forward. And if you do, the same thing that happened to Oliveira will happen to you.
“Oliveira wanted to walk forward and ended up on the ground. Justin has several bad habits that I’ve already analyzed very well, and those habits will cost him big if he does them on fight day.”
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