“I’m open, I can fight with him.” Makhachev named the conditions for a possible battle with Topuria

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev spoke on Match TV about the conditions under which he will fight with the organization’s lightweight champion Ilia Topuria

Makhachev finished 2025 in first place in the UFC rankings, regardless of weight categories. The Russian topped the P4P rankings in mid-November after defeating Australian Jack Della Maddalena in a welterweight title fight at UFC 322 in New York. He became the first fighter from Russia and the 11th in the history of the promotion to win two championship belts. Prior to this, the Russian vacated the title of champion of the organization in the lightweight division, which Topuria now holds.

– Fight with Topuria? I’m open. No problem, I can fight him.

– But without going down to lightweight?

– Yes. For what? I already had the lightweight belt, no one had beaten me. I just left the belt and went higher. I’m not interested in this for the sake of the belt. If he wants to go up, he’s welcome.

– Do you believe that Elijah can rise?

“He can rise because he won’t lose anything.” If he loses, he will return to his lightweight position and defend the belt.

– Topuria needs this fight more than you?

– One hundred percent. “I was already the lightweight champion and I definitely won’t go down there,” Makhachev said on the air of the “Everyone for the Match!” program. on Match TV.

34-year-old Makhachev has 28 victories and one defeat in mixed martial arts. The 28-year-old Topuria has 17 victories.

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