The UFC is entering one of its most intriguing championship eras, and Islam Makhachev is at the very heart of it. The former lightweight champion is preparing for the biggest challenge of his career: moving up to welterweight to take on reigning titleholder Jack Della Maddalena. But even as he focuses on that historic matchup, Makhachev has dropped a major revelation—he is open to a superfight with Ilia Topuria, one of the UFC’s fastest-rising stars.

This news instantly set the MMA world ablaze. Not only does it open the door to a rare champion-versus-champion showdown, but it also highlights the careful yet ambitious way Makhachev is plotting out the final stages of his legacy. Much like his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, he is balancing greatness with loyalty, opportunity with respect.

Islam Makhachev Eyes Ilia Topuria Superfight

Makhachev’s comments came during an interview with Ushtayka, where he admitted he’s highly interested in fighting Topuria should he capture the welterweight crown in November. If successful, he would become a two-division champion, facing off against another two-division champion—a dream scenario for fans and promoters alike.

“There’s some intrigue with Topuria. I’m also interested in that fight. Maybe we can make some kind of superfight,” Makhachev said.

Topuria, the Georgian-Spanish superstar, has taken the UFC by storm. After a sensational featherweight run where he knocked out legends like Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, he jumped to lightweight in 2025 and shocked the world by defeating Charles Oliveira for the belt. His mix of knockout power, sharp boxing, and iron confidence has made him one of the most feared fighters in the sport.

A matchup between Makhachev and Topuria is about as close to a perfect stylistic clash as fans could hope for. Makhachev brings his suffocating Dagestani grappling, cage control, and relentless top game. Topuria, on the other hand, thrives in chaos, using explosive striking and underrated takedown defense to neutralize wrestlers. It would be a chess match with devastating consequences, a battle where the smallest mistake could end the fight instantly.

The UFC is surely licking its lips at the prospect. A card headlined by Makhachev vs Topuria would be guaranteed blockbuster business and could even become one of the most successful pay-per-view events in UFC history.

Why Makhachev Hesitates with Khamzat Chimaev

While Makhachev is enthusiastic about Topuria, he is much more measured when asked about Khamzat Chimaev. The newly crowned middleweight champion put on one of the most dominant performances in UFC history at UFC 319, brutalizing Dricus du Plessis with over 500 strikes across nearly 22 minutes of control. Chimaev declared afterward that he wanted to become the undisputed pound-for-pound king, and in his mind, beating Makhachev was the fastest route.

Yet Makhachev’s response was calm and cautious:

“I’m answering this question here. I don’t want to open the door to any kind of conflict between our people… I have a tough fight ahead.”

This wasn’t just fighter-speak. Both men share deep ties to the Dagestani and broader Muslim MMA community, with overlapping training partners, fanbases, and personal relationships. A fight between them would risk creating divisions within a tight-knit group that prides itself on unity. For Makhachev, the fight simply isn’t worth the potential fallout—especially given the challenges of size.

Makhachev has admitted that bulking up to welterweight is already a challenge, while Chimaev has struggled making welterweight in the past and now looks at home at 185 pounds. On paper, the difference may be just 10-15 pounds, but in the cage, Chimaev’s size and raw power would make it an uphill battle.

The Immediate Hurdle: Jack Della Maddalena

Before any superfight talk can materialize, Makhachev must first handle business against Jack Della Maddalena, the surging Australian champion. Della Maddalena has put together an 18-fight winning streak, dismantling elite competition with his precise boxing, slick counters, and underrated ground game. He dethroned Belal Muhammad with a vicious display of striking, cementing himself as one of the sharpest technical fighters at welterweight.

For Makhachev, this fight is as dangerous as they come. While many expected his wrestling to be the equalizer at lightweight, it’s uncertain whether that dominance will translate seamlessly against a naturally bigger and stronger opponent. If he succeeds, however, he won’t just have two belts—he will have unlocked a new level of stardom and legacy-building opportunities.

The Stakes of a Makhachev vs Topuria Showdown

If Makhachev gets past Della Maddalena, the UFC will have one of the most tantalizing matchups in history on its hands. Both fighters would be two-division champions, both undefeated in their respective divisions since capturing gold, and both carrying huge international fanbases.

Stylistically, it’s a fight that could define an era. Would Makhachev’s pressure wrestling grind down Topuria? Or would Topuria’s knockout power crack through the Dagestani wall? Unlike some superfights that feel like pure spectacle, this one has the perfect blend of skill, rivalry, and stakes to go down in history.

Conclusion: Islam’s Calculated Greatness

Islam Makhachev is at a crossroads. On one path lies a potential career-defining victory against Jack Della Maddalena, cementing himself as a two-division champion. On the other lies the possibility of a historic showdown with Ilia Topuria, a fight that could not only headline a pay-per-view but redefine what a superfight means in modern MMA.

For now, Makhachev remains focused on the task at hand. But make no mistake—if he claims the welterweight belt, the UFC and its fans will demand the next step. And the way things are shaping up, that next step may just be the Makhachev vs Topuria superfight, a clash of champions destined to light up the MMA world.