Ilia Topuria has stated that he is ready to shock the world by choking out Islam Makhachev. The post is brief and offers no additional context about when such a fight might occur or under what circumstances Topuria made this statement. The channel operator responds with skepticism, referencing a song titled "Dreamer" and suggesting Topuria may be fantasizing. This appears to be a callout or bold claim from the featherweight champion regarding a potential superfight with the lightweight champion.
Ilia Topuria has fired a bold shot across the lightweight division, publicly claiming he can choke out reigning welterweight champion Islam Makhachev and shock the world in what would be one of the most ambitious superfights in recent MMA history.
Topuria, known as "El Matador," is no stranger to lofty ambitions. The 29-year-old Spaniard holds a 17-1-0 record and currently sits at number two in the lightweight division, while also ranking first in the pound-for-pound standings. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, Topuria is one of the sport's most active strikers, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute. He also presents a credible submission threat, averaging 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes throughout his career.
The man he is calling out, Islam Makhachev, is a formidable obstacle by any measure. The 34-year-old Russian holds a 28-1-0 record and is the reigning welterweight champion, sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings. Makhachev is built around a suffocating grappling game, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes while also landing 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 58 percent. His submission threat is real as well, matching Topuria's rate of 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
No timeline or official framework for the fight has been announced, and the callout drew immediate skepticism, with the suggestion that Topuria may be dreaming rather than negotiating.
Why it matters
- Topuria is the number-one pound-for-pound fighter, making a crossover fight with the champion a genuine marquee possibility
- A size disadvantage looms large — Topuria would be moving up to face a natural welterweight champion
- The specific claim of a submission finish highlights a stylistic clash between Topuria's offensive grappling and Makhachev's elite defensive wrestling
