Merab Dvalishvili just lately weighed in on a possible Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria superfight. Makhachev needs Topuria to move up to welterweight if he needs to battle him. ‘El Matador’ has proven curiosity within the battle too over the previous 12 months and has known as out the Russian fighter on a number of events.
Topuria is open to combating Makhachev at light-weight, welterweight, and even catchweight for the P4P throne.
Dvalishvili, who has been coaching with Topuria after the previous’s title loss at UFC 323, just lately weighed in on the light-weight champion’s probabilities of beating Islam Makhachev. After sparring with the 28-year-old, ‘The Machine’ is assured that ‘El Matador’ has a better likelihood of beating Makhachev even at welterweight. In a current interview with Setanta Sports activities, he stated:
“I’ve by no means felt that form of energy or that degree of approach from anybody else. I’ve sparred with fighters two weight lessons above, even three weight lessons above. Whether or not it’s jiu-jitsu, wrestling, every little thing. That form of uniqueness, the sensation I get with Ilia, I haven’t felt with anybody else. He has a really huge likelihood towards Islam Makhachev. I’ve grow to be satisfied of that after once more now that I’ve returned from Spain. He has a extremely huge likelihood. I might even give a better proportion to Ilia, even when the battle takes place at welterweight.” [h/t: MMA Pros Pick]
Take a look at Merab Dvalishvili’s feedback beneath:
Paddy Pimblett needs Ilia Topuria to be stripped if ‘El Matador’ doesn’t return by June or July
Paddy Pimblett just lately said that he’s open to combating Arman Tsarukyan if Ilia Topuria doesn’t return to the octagon after the primary quarter of 2026. Pimblett will battle Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 for the interim light-weight title. ‘The Baddy’ is assured that he can dismantle Gaethje in beneath three rounds and grow to be the interim champ.
The UFC plans to make the UFC 324 headliner winner meet Ilia Topuria in a title unification bout later this 12 months. If the undisputed champion can’t return as deliberate to unify the titles, Pimblett needs Topuria to be stripped, and he plans on taking over the primary contender, Arman Tsarukyan, whom the Brit despises. ‘The Baddy’ informed MMA Junkie:
“It’s annoying me that individuals are saying to me, ‘You’re ducking Arman.’ I’ve by no means been supplied to battle Arman. If I ever received supplied to battle Arman, I might have punched his head in by now. He irritates me. I believe he’s an absolute helmet… If Ilia can’t come again by June or July, he must be stripped. He’s slowing the division down, and I’ll defend towards Arman, Charles, or Max.”
Take a look at Paddy Pimblett’s feedback about Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan beneath (4:36):
