Ilia Topuria is looking forward to face to face with Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“La Leyenda” goes up to 155 pounds with a target in mind: defeat Makhachev for the light title of the UFC. Currently, the featherweight champion, Topuria officially leaves her title on Saturday for Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes to compete for the belt of the main event of the UFC 314.
A match between Topuria and Makhachev has not yet been formalized, but Topuria frequently mentioned the possibility they are fighting in the future. In an interview Podcast PBDWe asked Topuria what advantages he feels that he has on the fighter n ° 1 book for book by MMA Fighting and not only he replied with confidence, he also had a message for the mentor of Makhachev.
“You ask me, I feel that I have the advantage in everything,” said Topuria. “That’s what I really believe. Me, personally, I asked him: “What is your favorite submission?” Anyway, I don’t know, from Arce Choke.
“I take it near Khabib. I will submit him closer to Khabib. Khabib used to take people on his shoulder, shoot them down and talk to Dana. I will do it in Khabib. I’m going to take (Makhachev) and then talk to Khabib. Khabib, I have to do it. “
Nurmagomedov said he preferred to see Topuria win a shot in Makhachev rather than receiving and an immediate championship opportunity at 155 pounds. Topuria and Makhatchev have amazing curriculum vitae, with Topuria that comes out of the consecutive knoccouts of the legends Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway which moved its professional record at 16-0, and Makhachev having won 15 consecutive fights since its only defeat in 2015, a race which includes five defenses.
Although Topuria is still waiting for a word during her light beginnings, he doubts that the CEO of the UFC, Dana White, will make him fight in a candidate fight n ° 1.
“(White) wouldn’t tell me that,” said Topuria. “He looks for the belt.”
“There is no way to fight with candidate No. 1,” continued Topuria. “I have to fight directly for the belt. Personally, I don’t know, I hope in summer, maybe in September. ”
Topuria does not take a particular problem with Nurmagomedov questioning his Challenger references because he believes that they are considering the possibility from different angles.
“He says I don’t deserve it, but he says it from the point of view of a fighter,” said Topuria. “As a promoter, it works a little different.”
