Newly-crowned featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has continued jabbing at undisputed light-weight titleholder, Islam Makhachev on social media in a single day – importing footage of the Russian’s sole skilled defeat again in 2015, the place he was stopped in a brutal KO loss to Brazilian veteran, Adriano Martins.
Topuria, the newly-minted undisputed featherweight titleholder, headlined UFC 298 earlier this month, profitable the divisional title with a blistering second spherical win over common-opponent, Alexander Volkanovski.
Bettering to 15-0 as an expert, Spanish finisher, Topuria stopped the previous pound-for-pound primary with a shocking knockout win on the Octagon fence, and within the time since, has weighed up an instantaneous light-weight transfer in pursuit of a second crown, and a combat with present pound-for-pound topper, Makhachev.
“The ultimate goal remains to be there,” Ilia Topuria informed Spanish media following his title win over the course of final weekend at UFC 298. “He’s (Islam Makhachev) in hassle.”
And showing in Madrid final night time, Topuria attended the Santiago Bernabeu – dwelling to Actual Madrid for his or her La Liga match with Sevilla, bringing the UFC title onto the pitch and participating in a ceremonial kick-off.
Ilia Topuria continues to pursue Islam Makhachev
With Makhachev on his thoughts apparently, Topuria mocked the Russian’s 2015 loss to the aforenoted, Martins on his official Instagram Tales – wherein the now-champion was dropped and stopped with a knockout loss inside two minutes of their conflict.
Himself sidelined since final October, Makhachev most just lately turned in a spectacular rematch with over the above-mentioned, Volkanovski at UFC 294 on short-notice, stopping the New South Wales native with a high-kick and comply with up strikes knockout.
And anticipated to make his return to the Octagon later this annum, Makhachev’s head coach, Javier Mendez has advised the American Kickboxing Academy staple may tackle former interim champion and incoming UFC 300 characteristic, Justin Gaethje in a title showcase subsequent.
Do you assume Ilia Topuria ever takes on Islam Makhachev?