LAS VEGAS – Islam Makhachev seems to be done welcoming challengers from 145 pounds.
Makhachev, UFC lightweight champion, has defended his title twice against Alexander Volkanovski, who was then champion of the featherweight division. Still reigning and 2-0 against featherweight challengers, Makhachev says he’s done with those types of matchups, which means bad news for Ilia Topuria.
“No, man. I’m tired of giving chance to small guys,” Makhachev said at Friday’s UFC 311 press conference in Las Vegas. “I need my second belt. It’s nothing exciting. He’s a good fighter. He’s a good skills fighter, but I don’t want to give him a chance. I need second belt. That fight for what? For me, is nothing. It’s just his name, and I don’t need his name. I need the belt.”
Since winning the UFC featherlight belt against Volkanovski earlier this year, Topuria has been campaigning for a shot a becoming a two-division UFC champion. Most recently, Topuria said he’d like to return in Spring 2025 and take on Makhachev.
Topuria is coming off an impressive KO win over former champion Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308 in October. The victory marked his first title defense.
On the other hand, Makhachev is set to headline UFC 311 on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles. He takes on Arman Tsarykyan in a rematch that stems from a 2019 meet.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
