Ali Abdelaziz put a halt to speculation around a superfight between his client, Islam Makhachev, and Ilia Topuria in 2026.
Makhachev (27-1) is set to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight title on Nov. 15, in the headliner of UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The former undisputed UFC lightweight champion has his sights set on making history. He will seek to capture a world championship in a second division.
Newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria (17-0) is sure to keep a close eye on the matchup. “El Matador” stated that he plans to move up to welterweight if Makhachev emerges as the new kingpin at 170 pounds. Makhachev recently expressed his interest in a showdown for the upcoming UFC White House event next June.
His manager, however, isn’t convinced that Topuria has done enough to earn a potential shot.
More to prove at 155 pounds for Topuria?
“Ilia needs to work his division,” Abdelaziz told Submission Radio. “Clean out his division, like Islam did. And if they need to fight one day, they can fight. But Ilia can’t just beat Charles Oliveira one fight, and be like ‘Oh I’m gonna go for the welterweight title.’”
Topuria captured the vacant UFC lightweight title with a first-round knockout win against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June. He became a two-division UFC champion, as he previously held the UFC featherweight title.
It isn’t certain when the UFC lightweight champion will make his return, although rumors seem to indicate a grudge match against Paddy Pimblett. According to previous reports, it is possible that Topuria’s first title defense could take place in January 2026.
Makhachev defeated Renato Moicano by first-round submission at UFC 311 in January. With his fourth defense of the UFC lightweight title, Makhachev set the record for most lightweight title defenses in UFC history.
As he now aims to capture the throne at welterweight, it remains to be seen if a victory over Della Maddalena will keep any talks of a future fight with Topuria in the picture.
“Islam doesn’t care, Islam will fight anybody,” said Abdelaziz. “Islam does not give a s**t, honestly.”
