The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is buzzing with talk of a potential super-fight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, following a recent prediction from former rival Jack Della Maddalena. The Dagestani fighter, Makhachev, dominated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, becoming the eleventh two-division champion in the promotion's history after vacating the lightweight throne. With a host of hungry contenders pushing for a shot in his new weight class, Makhachev's next move is a topic of much speculation.
Della Maddalena, in a recent appearance on streamer N3on's YouTube channel, expressed his belief that Makhachev would beat Topuria in a highly anticipated fight. He argued that the size difference would be a significant factor, despite Topuria's status as a heavy puncher. Della Maddalena's confidence in Makhachev's victory is not solely based on size, as he also believes he would get the better of the lightweight champ at 170 pounds.
The super-fight between Makhachev and Topuria has been a topic of discussion ever since 'El Matador' reached the featherweight mountaintop and announced his multi-weight plans. Topuria accused Makhachev of running away when he relinquished the 155-pound title, which Topuria later claimed by knocking out Charles Oliveira at International Fight Week. The fight's potential remains on the cards, as Topuria aims to make history as a three-division champ, but his hiatus has paused the talk for now.
The question of whether a fight between Makhachev and Topuria needs to happen is a controversial one. While some fans and analysts believe it would be a significant event in the sport, others argue that it may not be as compelling as initially thought. The debate continues, and the outcome of this potential super-fight remains uncertain, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the ongoing saga of the UFC's top fighters.
