Former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has dismissed the possibility of a fight between Conor McGregor and Ilia Topuria. Earlier this year, Makhachev moved up to the 170-pound division, relinquishing his UFC lightweight title. This opened the door for Ilia Topuria to defeat Charles Oliveira by knockout at UFC 317 and claim the lightweight crown. Both McGregor and Topuria are major figures in the sport, and they’ve been part of a notable rivalry with the former champion, McGregor.
While McGregor was known as one of the best strikers during his prime, Topuria has taken on that mantle to some extent, prompting comparisons between the two. Makhachev weighed in on how a matchup between McGregor and Topuria might play out. He said that although Topuria possibly has greater raw striking power, McGregor was superior as a counter-puncher, praising McGregor’s timing, patience, and precision, especially as a fellow southpaw.
In recent comments, McGregor expressed his intention to return to the UFC in 2026, aiming to possibly settle his long-standing rivalry with Makhachev. However, before that, he needs a successful comeback, targeting the UFC White House event for his return.
Meanwhile, despite Makhachev shutting down talk of a McGregor-Topuria fight, fans remain hopeful for a future showdown between Makhachev and the Spanish fighter. Topuria recently announced a break from competition but expressed ambitions to fight Makhachev for the welterweight title upon his return. In a surprising move, Topuria sent a provocative message to Makhachev’s camp, threatening to “step on” Khabib Nurmagomedov, further fueling the rivalry drama.
Fan Take: This news highlights the evolving landscape of the UFC lightweight division and the intense rivalries that keep fans engaged. A potential clash involving any of these fighters could redefine dominance in the sport and create some of the most exciting matchups in recent memory.
