Islam Makhachev predicts Topuria vs Gaethje and comments on potential Topuria fight

Islam Makhachev has weighed in on the lightweight title picture, offering his take on the scheduled clash between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje while also speaking to the prospect of one day sharing the octagon with Topuria himself.

Makhachev, 34, is currently the welterweight champion and sits at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings with a 28-1-0 record. The Russian southpaw, who trains out of Eagles MMA, is a technically precise fighter, landing 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 58 percent accuracy while also averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — a combination that has made him one of the most complete competitors in the sport.

Topuria, the number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the world despite holding only the second divisional rank at lightweight, carries a 17-1-0 record into his upcoming fight with Gaethje. The 29-year-old Spaniard known as El Matador is one of the busiest strikers in the division, averaging 4.81 significant strikes per minute, and has shown the ability to finish bouts on the ground as well, averaging 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.

Standing across from him will be Gaethje, 37, who holds the lightweight title with a 28-5-0 record. The American known as The Highlight is among the most aggressive pressure fighters the division has ever seen, landing a staggering 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. He relies almost entirely on his striking, averaging just 0.33 takedowns per 15 minutes and recording no submission attempts.

Why it matters

• Makhachev's comments add intrigue to a potential cross-divisional or intra-divisional superfight with Topuria down the line
• The Topuria vs. Gaethje matchup pits the sport's top pound-for-pound fighter against one of its most dangerous lightweight champions
• A stylistic contrast is stark — Gaethje's relentless volume striking versus Topuria's finishing ability across multiple ranges