Outside Source
Merab Dvalishvili sees only one reasonable option for Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria: Fight now.
The UFC lightweight champion is in a waiting period right now, with a potential move up to welterweight if Makhachev’s friend Belal Muhammad loses his title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 on May 10, and Ilia Topuria waiting in the wings after recently vacating the featherweight title with the expectation he could receive an immediate 155-pound championship opportunity.
It’s a tangled web, but the answer is pretty simple to Dvalishvili.
“He’s saying he’s not a featherweight, he’s lightweight and he’s champion,” Dvalishvili said in a video uploaded by Fight Back Podcast. “Who you have—I know Islam is saying, ‘Oh, I don’t want to fight small guys.’ But Ilia is f*cking the biggest name.”
Makhachev’s reluctance to fight the undefeated Topuria also stems from the perception that several of Makhachev’s championship wins have come against 145ers, specifically Alexander Volkanovski, who Makhachev defeated in a pair of lightweight title bouts. Recent opponents Renato Moicano (a last-minute substitution for an injured Arman Tsarukyan), Dustin Poirier, and Charles Oliveira have also previously fought at featherweight, though all three have been well-established at 155 pounds for years.
It’s unclear who Makhachev’s team views as an ideal opponent, though close friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov has put forth Tsarukyan as the most compelling challenger. Dvalishvili is certain Makhachev would be an incredibly difficult test for Topuria (who shares Georgian heritage with Dvalishvili), but thinks it makes zero sense to have Topuria jump through another hoop for a fight everyone wants to see.
“He already beat Arman,” Dvalishvili said referring to Makhachev defeating Tsarukyan in 2019. “He beat Oliveira. He beat [Poirier]. … It’s not going to be an easy fight for Ilia, but that’s the fight to—Ilia’s my friend, I love him, but it’s going to be stupid if he fights Oliveira, if he loses to Oliveira.
“This is the superfight.”
Content. Anthony Smith clears up any misunderstandings about where his broadcasting career is headed.
Nutrition. Paddy Pimblett already back to his big boy ways after huge UFC 314 win.
Beef. Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev continue to feud over a potential title bout.
Gratitude. Carlos Prates says Ian Machado Garry will be “thanking me” after Saturday’s UFC Kansas City main event clash.
Doubt? The UFC-Netflix partnership is anything but a done deal.
MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Anthony Smith.
The Training Arc with Demetrious Johnson.
UFC 314 Fight Motion.
Carlos Prates hype.
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin talks to Matt Brown about Paddy Pimblett’s extravagant weight gains, Anthony Smith’s legacy, and what to expect in Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates.
One step closer?
I’ve been told that Volkov cant fight now, but he accept to fight on fall
Me foi informado que o Volkov não poderá lutar agora, mas concordou em nos enfrentarmos no outono americano
— Jailton Almeida “Malhadinho” (@Malhadinho_UFC) April 21, 2025
Sick.
I don’t know who needs to hear this but someone does.
I don’t know who needs to hear this coming into fight week but, Kansas City (at least the one you’re talking about) is NOT in Kansas. Repeat…the UFC is not going to Kansas. Not even a little. Admittedly confusing…but we Missouri locals get unreasonably touchy about it .…
— Laura Sanko (@laura_sanko) April 22, 2025
“Bullet” or “Blade?”
Not funny but only because it’s wrong to joke about such a wonderful thing we’ll never have.
Don’t do this.
Blessed worldwide.
Congrats!
Can’t lie, a weekend without UFC action is always refreshing, even with plenty of other options available these days (I know you all watched WrestleMania!). UFC Kansas City looks solid and has a great main event, plus we’ve got the dream fight between Mariusz Pudzianowski and Eddie Hall at KSW 105, and Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn finally facing off.
Buckle up!
Poll
On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you for UFC Kansas City this weekend?
-
0%
10
(0 votes)
-
0%
9
(0 votes)
-
0%
8
(0 votes)
-
0%
7 or below
(0 votes)
0 votes total Vote Now
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.
This article first appeared at MMA Fighting – All Posts
Help support MMACrazies.com when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at MMACrazies.com/recommends/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.
