Former UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev is targeted on his upcoming transfer to welterweight, however he hasn’t forgotten about Ilia Topuria.
Makhachev (27-1) will problem Jack Della Maddalena (18-2) for the welterweight championship at UFC 322 on Nov. 14 at Madison Sq. Backyard. In anticipation of the transfer, Makhachev vacated his 155-pound light-weight belt in Could. Topuria (17-0), the UFC’s former featherweight champion, grew to become Makhachev’s successor in June, when he knocked out Charles Oliveira for the title.
Topuria and Makhachev are broadly thought of the highest two pound-for-pound fighters on the earth, and Topuria has stated he’ll transfer up in weight once more to face Makhachev on the 170-pound restrict if he wins — a state of affairs Makhachev says he would welcome, notably on the UFC’s historic occasion on the White Home subsequent summer season.
“I noticed the [Oliveira] combat; he is good,” Makhachev informed ESPN. “I’ve an excellent combat now and I do know [Topuria] goes to combat quickly and we’ll see what’s gonna occur. He desires to combat on the White Home, and I additionally need to be there. I do know the UFC desires to do some large combat within the White Home. Which combat goes to be larger than this?”
The UFC has not introduced any fights for the much-anticipated card, which President Donald Trump has stated will happen on June 14. Topuria is unbooked as of now, however he’s anticipated to defend his light-weight belt a minimum of yet another time earlier than any potential transfer up in school.
Makhachev defended his title 4 occasions earlier than dropping it for a transfer to welterweight. He stated the load lower to light-weight depleted him a lot, he has but to compete to his full capability within the UFC.
“Nobody who cuts like [22 pounds], they by no means get better 100%, you recognize?” Makhachev stated. “I used to be nonetheless feeling [the effects] for the combat, possibly 70% or 60%, as a result of it is so laborious to get better 30 hours [after cutting weight].”