UFC featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, recently revealed that he is considering a move up to lightweight for his next fight, targeting a title fight against Islam Makhachev.

After defending his featherweight title once, Ilia Topuria is already considering a move up to the lightweight division in pursuit of a fight against Islam Makhachev.

The two sparked what seems to be a growing feud earlier this year after ‘El Matador’ claimed he would send Makhachev to hospital if they ended up fighting in the street, which resulted in a war of words from several of the Russian’s teammates.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCKhabib Nurmagomedov weighs in on Topuria’s plan to fight Makhachev

Since his shock retirement from the sport in 2020, Khabib Nurmagomedov has taken up the role as a coach with Makhachev being one of the few fighters he passes his knowledge down to.

‘The Eagle’ is set to corner Makhachev for his upcoming title defense against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on January 18.

With Makhachev’s next title defense already scheduled, Topuria claimed that he would like to fight Charles Oliveira next, potentially earning his chance to fight Makhachev for the title.

Nurmagomedov believes it would not be fair for the 27-year-old to move up and immediately fight for the title, stating that he would need a big win first before being considered for a lightweight title shot.

However, on the four previous occasions when there has been a simultaneous double champion, they have not required a win in the division they moved up to for a title shot.

“I think if he moves up and beats someone like Dustin Poirier or Charles Oliveira then he’s next in line, why not?” Nurmagomedov said whilst talking to Henry Cejudo.

“(Does he deserve a title shot) without fighting at 155lbs, without, no I don’t agree. Because Islam already gave a chance. People talk bad about like, ‘Oh he already fought twice against Volkanovski’ but the UFC pushed that fight and the first fight was good.

“But why does Islam have to give three chances for the 145lb champion? It’s not fair for 155lbs but if (Topuria) moves up and beats someone like Charles Oliveira then of course,” he continued.

Khabib Nurmagomedov predicts Ilia Topuria will beat Charles Oliveira in potential fight

‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira recently returned to winning ways after beating Michael Chandler at UFC 309 in a five-round co-main event, potentially securing himself the next title shot.

Having said that, the former lightweight champion must wait for the culmination of Makhachev vs Tsarukyan, which is why he was called out by Topuria.

With that, Khabib believes the 27-year-old featherweight champion could earn a lightweight title shot by beating Oliveira and he has predicted that he would do just that.

“You know what I think, I think (Topuria) can beat him,” Nurmagomedov predicted.

Whilst Oliveira was reigning over the lightweight division, he was dropped in several of his title defenses, having to come back in emphatic fashion to defend his belt on a few occasions.

However, Topuria is considered to be one of the best boxers in the sport, holding terrifying knockout power and being the only fighter to have handed Max Holloway a knockout loss.