Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev’s latest disagreement has the MMA world speaking.
The previous featherweight champion and the soon-to-be former light-weight champion are each shifting as much as problem for world titles in greater divisions. Topuria faces Charles Oliveira for the vacant light-weight title at UFC 317 subsequent month, and Makhachev, who vacated the 155-pound belt, faces new welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena later this 12 months.
Topuria made the transfer as much as light-weight after changing into the primary fighter to knock out Max Holloway in his lone featherweight title protection at UFC 308 in October. It appeared he can be on a collision course with Makhachev, though the thought of the longtime light-weight champ shifting as much as welterweight had been floating round for a while. Makhachev all the time appeared to welcome the problem, however publicly acknowledged he want to see Topuria get a win over a high-level light-weight first earlier than getting his shot.
Now that Makhachev is making the transfer as much as welterweight, Topuria referred to as him a “hypocrite” for—in Topuria’s eyes—doing the identical factor he’s doing. The latest back-and-forth has most followers feeling the identical approach, that they have been robbed of an enormous struggle. Others appear to be hoping for catastrophe.
The MMA Combating neighborhood weighed in on the subject, and you’ll take a look at a few of these reactions under.
