Ilia Topuria says Islam Makhachev fight ‘has to happen’ but is not ‘under my control’
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 22: UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is seen backstage with his brother Aleksandre Topuria during the UFC Fight Night event at ABHA Arena on November 22, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC) Ilia Topuria returns to action against Justin Gaethje on June 11th at the big UFC White House card. It’s a big fight, as all Topuria fights are.
But not the biggest fight possible. According to Ilia, that would be Topuria vs. Makhachev.
“I think it is a fight that everyone wants to see, whether they are sports fans or not,” Topuria told Spanish outlet ABC. “It is a fight that from my perspective has to happen. ” “If I were in the UFC’s place I would do everything I could to make it happen,” he added.
“But it’s hard to give the UFC advice when they’ve managed to build what they’ve built. From the outside we see one thing, but they’re inside the kitchen and see how to place the pieces in the future. Whatever comes, I have to be prepared, and I’m focusing on the things that are under my control.
” In addition to fighting, Topuria has also experienced what it’s like to be a fight promoter with his WOW MMA events. Asked how he’d run the kitchen and set up an Ilia vs. Islam fight, “El Matador” once again defered to the UFC’s possible reasoning.