As rumors swirl around a potential superfight between featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and reigning lightweight king Islam Makhachev, Polish contender Mateusz Gamrot, currently ranked 7th in the lightweight division, has cast serious doubts on Topuria’s chances.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Gamrot stated:
“It’s an exciting matchup on paper, but honestly, I don’t think Topuria has any chance. Islam is incredibly strong, and while Topuria is a great fighter at 145, he doesn’t have the physicality to compete with someone like Makhachev.”
He emphasized the size and strength advantage Makhachev holds:
“If you want to fight Islam, you have to be as strong as he is. He’s well-rounded everywhere. If you’re physically smaller, your chances of winning are close to zero.”
Topuria Refuses Intermediate Fights
Ilia Topuria, however, remains firm in his stance. He is holding out for an immediate title shot at lightweight and has turned down fights against names like Charles Oliveira or Arman Tsarukyan. This approach, while bold, raises eyebrows among analysts.
Recently, Khabib Nurmagomedov weighed in, saying that Topuria “needs to beat a big name” at 155 before being granted a title shot.
A Highly Anticipated Fight — But With Strings Attached
Though fans are eager to see this potential showdown, several roadblocks remain. Between Gamrot’s skepticism, Topuria’s determination, and Khabib’s cautious remarks, the path to this fight isn’t yet clear.
The coming year may reveal whether “La Leyenda” is truly ready to face one of the most dominant lightweights in MMA history.
