{"id":6689,"date":"2026-02-12T10:45:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T09:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/?p=6689"},"modified":"2026-02-12T15:52:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:52:45","slug":"islam-makhachev-opens-the-door-to-a-historic-clash-with-ilia-topuria-the-decision-now-lies-with-the-ufc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/islam-makhachev-opens-the-door-to-a-historic-clash-with-ilia-topuria-the-decision-now-lies-with-the-ufc\/","title":{"rendered":"Islam Makhachev opens the door to a historic clash with Ilia Topuria\u2026 the decision now lies with the UFC"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"2737\" data-end=\"3108\">In mixed martial arts, the biggest fights are not born solely inside the cage. They often begin with a statement, a hint, a single sentence capable of igniting fans\u2019 imagination. That is exactly what Islam Makhachev did when he declared his readiness to face Ilia Topuria, one of the most dangerous fighters on the UFC roster\u2014provided the organization gives its approval.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"3110\" data-end=\"3458\">The Dagestani champion has not competed since his unanimous decision victory over Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title at UFC 322 last November. Yet despite his absence, Makhachev\u2019s name remains central to discussions, especially with the growing idea of a potential \u201csuper fight\u201d that could rank among the biggest events in MMA history.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"3460\" data-end=\"3689\">Speaking to <em data-start=\"3472\" data-end=\"3482\">Telegraf<\/em>, Makhachev expressed clear enthusiasm while emphasizing that the final call is not his alone:<br data-start=\"3576\" data-end=\"3579\" \/>\u201cYes, I like this idea. If the UFC wants it, I know that many MMA fans are waiting for this fight. I\u2019m ready.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_61761\"  width=\"696\" height=\"391\"  data-origwidth=\"696\" data-origheight=\"391\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/scIji6an8b4?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;modestbranding=0&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"3691\" data-end=\"4096\">When asked about the possibility of staging the bout at a symbolic event such as \u201cUFC at the White House,\u201d Makhachev showed openness, while outlining the realities of his preparation. He explained that he would pause training for a month during Ramadan before gradually resuming his camp:<br data-start=\"3979\" data-end=\"3982\" \/>\u201cThe White House is a possible option, or another date. After Ramadan, I\u2019ll return to training and I\u2019ll be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"4098\" data-end=\"4517\">Behind these calm and controlled words lies a far more complex scenario. The UFC must balance sporting logic, promotional value, and scheduling considerations. The picture is further complicated by other contenders: Ilia Topuria has recently reappeared on social media following the conclusion of his divorce, while interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has also teased a potential showdown with the Spanish star.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"4519\" data-end=\"4865\">Between Makhachev\u2019s readiness, Topuria\u2019s ambition, and the UFC\u2019s strategic calculations, fans are left waiting for a decision that could reshape the organization\u2019s competitive landscape. Whether it happens at the White House or elsewhere, one thing is clear: if this fight becomes reality, it will transcend sport and stand as a global spectacle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In mixed martial arts, the biggest fights are not born solely inside the cage. They often begin with a statement, a hint, a single sentence capable of igniting fans\u2019 imagination. That is exactly what Islam Makhachev did when he declared his readiness to face Ilia Topuria, one of the most dangerous fighters on the UFC [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6690,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45,86,21,91],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6689","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mma","8":"category-mma-video","9":"category-ufc-news","10":"category-ufc"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6689"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6689"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6689\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6691,"href":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6689\/revisions\/6691"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmamag.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}