Henry Cejudo believes UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov could get in the way of Islam Makhachev defending his lightweight title against Ilia Topuria.
In a chat with Cejudo this past December, Nurmagomedov said he’d be against Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) getting an immediate shot at Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) and his belt.
“I remember talking to Khabib, and Khabib said it’s not fair for Ilia to skip the line and go after the title shot with Islam because that’s all Islam’s been doing,” Cejudo told MMA Junkie. “He gave Volkanovski a couple (title shots) where he’s gone up. So I don’t even think it’s going to be Islam’s choice. I think Khabib is going to step in and be like, ‘He needs to fight the No. 1 contender.'”
Although Topuria recently revealed that the UFC promised him an immediate lightweight title shot after he opted to vacate his featherweight title, Cejudo thinks Nurmagomedov’s stipulation will be put into play.
“Khabib said if Ilia does beat a No. 1 contender then sure, we’ll do that,” Cejudo said. “I personally think that Islam will fight anybody, anytime, anywhere. There’s a quote on him at the PI that says that, but I think that the person that’s more likely going to play backup is going to be Khabib Nurmagomedov. He’s going to say no, so for that reason, I am guessing it’s going to be Justin Gaethje vs. Islam Makhachev, International Fight Week.”
As for Topuria, Cejudo sees him fighting one of the division’s staples.
“They could probably give Ilia Dustin Poirier in Louisiana,” Cejudo said. “Because I’m thinking Charles doesn’t want to fight Ilia Topuria, he says ‘I’ll fight him when I’m champ.’ So, I don’t know how much pull he has there, but if a fighter is saying he won’t fight somebody for that title shot because he already did get that opportunity and he lost, he doesn’t have leverage. The UFC will just shelf you. So, I can see Ilia Topuria vs. Dustin Poirier.”
To hear more from Cejudo, check out his complete appears on “The Bohnfire” podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn.
