Ilia Topuria, currently pursuing the lightweight championship, has articulated clear conditions for a potential future clash with Islam Makhachev.
The fighter, a former featherweight titleholder, indicated during a media interaction that his interest in facing the Russian champion is strictly contingent on Makhachev successfully moving up in weight to challenge and defeat Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight belt.
Previously, Topuria had suggested a scenario where either he moved up or Makhachev came down to lightweight, paving the way for a highly anticipated fight, assuming both won their respective upcoming title contests.
However, Topuria now states that this particular plan is off the table if Makhachev makes an attempt for the 170-pound title later this year but is unsuccessful and decides to return to the lightweight division.
According to Topuria, if Makhachev suffers a loss in that potential welterweight fight, “If he loses I don`t give him anything… If he loses, nothing. Let him get in line.”
