Tensions in the UFC’s lightweight and featherweight scenes just got a wild new twist and it didn’t even start in the Octagon.

In a bizarre but explosive moment captured during a casual podcast hangout, UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria was caught visibly fuming when one of the Nelk Boys, the popular YouTube pranksters and MMA superfans, casually revealed they were a fan of Islam Makhachev — Topuria’s newfound rival and the reigning lightweight champion.

What started as a laid-back conversation about the fight game erupted into a viral meltdown, as the undefeated Spanish-Georgian star made it very clear where he stands when it comes to Makhachev and his camp.

The Unexpected Moment That Set Topuria Off

During the recording of an upcoming Full Send Podcast episode — a show known for its raw, unfiltered access to athletes — one of the Nelk Boys innocently remarked:

“I mean, I kinda like Islam [Makhachev], man. He’s a beast. I think he’s unbeatable.”

That was all it took.

Ilia Topuria, who had been calmly sipping a drink and joking along with the crew, suddenly went stone-cold silent. Then came the reaction:

“You what? You support him? That guy?” Topuria snapped, slamming his drink down and pointing at the camera.
“After all the bulls**t he talks? After all the fake humble crap? Nah, I can’t sit here and let that slide.”

It wasn’t staged. It wasn’t funny. Topuria was genuinely angry.

Topuria vs. Makhachev – A New War on the Horizon?

This outburst might seem like an overreaction to a fan’s opinion — but if you know the growing rivalry between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev, you’d understand why this small spark ignited a wildfire.

Topuria, fresh off his dominant title win over Alexander Volkanovski, has his eyes set on UFC champ-champ status. And that means one man stands in his way: Islam Makhachev, the Dagestani machine ruling the lightweight division.

The two fighters have taken subtle shots at each other in interviews, but this Nelk Boys moment just poured gasoline on the fire.

“That guy [Islam] hasn’t fought a real striker yet,” Topuria shouted.
“They protect him, pad his record, act like he’s untouchable. When we fight — and we will — I’ll break him like he’s never been broken.”

According to insiders close to the UFC, Topuria vs. Makhachev could realistically happen in 2026, especially if both champions defend their belts in upcoming bouts. UFC President Dana White has also teased “one of the biggest champ-vs-champ fights ever” coming next year — and this might be it.

The Nelk Boys Are Stuck in the Crossfire

The Nelk Boys, known for their tight relationships with fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley, and Conor McGregor, found themselves unintentionally igniting a firestorm.

SteveWillDoIt tried to calm things down, saying:

“Bro, relax. I respect both of you guys. You’re both savages.”

But Topuria wasn’t having it:

“Respect? You pick a side. Don’t come around smiling and talking about respect. Either you’re with real fighters or with the robots.”

This could spell a fracture in the once-friendly relationship between Topuria and the popular influencer group — or it could just be another layer of Topuria’s raw, unfiltered personality coming to the surface.

Either way, fans ate it up.

Clips of the podcast blew up on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram, with MMA fans divided in the comments:

• “Ilia’s intensity is unmatched. He’s a real one.”

• “Bro it was just an opinion. Chill out.”

• “This fight NEEDS to happen now. Topuria vs. Makhachev would be a war.”

Is This the New Era of UFC Rivalries?

What makes this moment so fascinating isn’t just the anger — it’s how organic and unexpected it was.

Unlike the forced drama we sometimes see in pre-fight pressers, this was a raw human reaction from a fighter who genuinely feels disrespected by anyone siding with his potential rival.

And it fits perfectly into Topuria’s character arc.

He’s not here to play nice. He’s not here to build brand-friendly friendships. He’s here to dominate. To send messages. To destroy hype trains.

And if Makhachev is the next stop on that mission?

“I want to fight him in Abu Dhabi. In his backyard. Make it personal. Make it painful,” Topuria added before storming out of the studio.

Final Thoughts: A Bombshell Rivalry Ready to Explode

What started as a casual comment by a YouTuber may have ignited the next mega-fight in UFC history.

Ilia Topuria’s response was loud, emotional, and real. And it proves one thing: he’s ready to go to war with Islam Makhachev — not just for a belt, but for legacy, pride, and personal redemption.

Whether it happens late 2025 or sometime in 2026, Topuria vs. Makhachev is now the fight fans are dying to see. And if the UFC is smart, they’ll make it happen — because this isn’t just champ vs. champ.

This is fire vs. ice, raw emotion vs. cold calculation.

And it all started with one little sentence on a podcast.