Islam Makhachev weighed in on Ilya Topria’s present prominence in combined martial arts and the way it compares to the historic rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. In an interview with Match TV, the previous UFC light-weight champion acknowledged that Topuria is likely one of the most media-grabbing fighters in fight sports activities right this moment, however stopped in need of equating his trajectory from featherweight to light-weight champion with one of many sport’s most important feuds.
Islam Makhachev denies repeating Khabib and McGregor, however praises Topria’s progress
When requested if Topria’s profile resembles McGregor’s mainstream attain, Makhachev mentioned, “I do not assume it is near that.” “However if you happen to examine the earnings, he is one of many greatest. If I had been to select somebody proper now, he’d be one of many greatest.”
After successful the featherweight title with a knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024, Topuria shortly rose by the UFC ranks and catapulted into superstardom. Topuria then defended the belt in opposition to Max Holloway at UFC 308, successful by knockout within the third spherical, earlier than vacating the title and pursuing a championship alternative at light-weight, successful the title through knockout.
The rivalry between Khabib and McGregor, which concluded at UFC 229 in October 2018, stays distinctive in that it generated widespread cultural curiosity past the combined martial arts world. The feud started years in the past when an Irish fighter and a Russian grappler met, and escalated by social media exchanges and face-to-face confrontations. Tensions reached a climax in April 2018, when McGregor was arrested after he attacked a bus carrying Khabib and different fighters at UFC 223. Within the remaining matchup, Khabib submitted McGregor within the fourth spherical, creating what many contemplate to be an important battle in UFC historical past.
Makhachev’s skepticism about one other rivalry reaching such heights speaks to the uniquely private nature of the Khabib-McGregor dynamic. The Russian’s victory included a cage-side brawl that made headlines for weeks afterward, however the animosity between the fighters continued properly past their skilled encounter. Since then, Khabib has retired undefeated, whereas McGregor has been comparatively inactive, sometimes entering into on-line spat with the fighter and his allies.
Topria, against this, has constructed his status primarily by dominant performances moderately than fixed bickering. The 28-year-old Georgian-Spanish fighter at present holds the UFC light-weight title after defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June 2025 to earn his standing as a two-division champion. His knockout victories over elite rivals have garnered consideration, earned him sponsorship offers with a number of international corporations, and made him one of the vital marketable fighters within the sport.
