Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria is undeniably the biggest fight in the sport’s history if it comes to fruition, but it shouldn’t happen under the conditions they’re talking about.
This past Saturday, Islam Makhachev joined a small group of fighters to win a title in two different weight classes when he dominated Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC 322 main event to become the welterweight king.
And with his win, the possibility of Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria continues to grow, with fans continuing to call for the fight to happen on the UFC White House event next June.
However, even though the fight has the potential to be historical, and the type of fight that could transcend the sport, it should only happen under one condition.
Photo by Ian Maule/Getty ImagesMakhachev vs Topuria should only happen at 155lbsWhen the Russian was reigning over the lightweight division, ‘El Matador’ made it clear that he wanted to move up to 155lbs to fight him in a huge clash.
Despite that, soon after Topuria declared he was moving up to lightweight, Makhachev moved up to welterweight to make history of his own.
And even though the Spaniard proceeded with his move up in weight, he is now considering another move up in weight to chase a title fight against Makhachev at 170lbs.
Although it would be extremely exciting to see ‘El Matador’ look to make UFC history by becoming the first ever three weight world champion, the fight categorically shouldn’t happen at welterweight.
‘El Matador’ started his career by fluctuating between bantamweight and featherweight and when he was dominating the 145lb division in the UFC, he wasn’t exactly an oversized featherweight.
When he moved up to lightweight, his reason for doing so was because he couldn’t cope with the cut down to 145lbs, which came as a surprise to many fans because he is not considered a huge featherweight.
And when he fought Charles Oliveira for the title earlier this year, it was noticeable how much smaller he was compared to a ‘big’ lightweight.
As much as I want to see the fight between Makhachev and Topuria because I believe it is important for the sport, I just don’t want to see it contested at 170lbs.
It would be such a huge size difference between the two at that weight and the advantage would lie with Makhachev, making it far less exciting.
UFC boss Dana White has admitted he is open to the fight but he should consider scrapping it if it’s not going to be at lightweight.
Jack needs an entire camp dedicated just to wrestling. What a disappointment of a champion. You should go to Georgia to learn something.
Islam, you need something you can’t train: emotion. You’re the most boring thing in this game. Every day I’m more certain I put you to sleep.
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) November 16, 2025 View Tweet
Makhachev has more exciting options at welterweightNot that a fight between Makhachev and ‘El Matador’ at welterweight wouldn’t be exciting, but in my opinion, there are more exciting options for him at that weight.
Who should Islam Makhachev fight next? Michael Morales picked up the biggest win of his career thus far this past Saturday, knocking out Sean Brady in the first round.
To me, even that fight is more exciting of a thought than Makhachev vs Topuria at 170lbs.
Not only that, but Ian Machado Garry takes on Belal Muhammad this Saturday at UFC Qatar, and if he wins, he poses legit threats to Makhachev in a potential matchup.
Of course like everyone, I want to see Makhachev vs Topuria, but I want to see it contested in the fairest way possible otherwise it loses a lot of its appeal.
