Despite his pair of wins over featherweight competition in the past, Islam Makhachev has downplayed the prospect of him taking on current divisional titleholder, Ilia Topuria in the future — questioning what a victory over a 145lbs talent would “prove.
Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter on the UFC’s books, is expected to make his return as soon as next month in the headliner of UFC 311 in Los Angeles.
Yet to receive a bout agreement to take on surging contender and former-foe, Arman Tsarukyan at the first flagship card of the new year, Islam Makhachev is widely expected to take on the Armenian in his fourth attempted title defense, nonetheless.