Ilia Topuria targets Islam Makhachev, scores beef with undefeated Bellator champion instead: ‘Still on steroids?’

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

It’s been stated earlier than, however Ilia Topuria will not be missing for confidence.

The undefeated Featherweight champion is certainly driving excessive forward of his first title protection reverse the resurgent Max Holloway, whom he guarantees to brutalize in brief trend. It’s a number of robust speak, however are you able to blame the 27 yr outdated when he’s largely lived as much as his phrase and dominated everybody else thus far?

Both manner, Topuria’s ambitions aren’t restricted to 145-pounds. Contained in the Octagon, “El Matador” fought simply as soon as at Light-weight towards Jai Herbert, struggling a little bit of hassle earlier than touchdown an incredible knockout (watch it). Just lately, Topuria responded to a fan query on-line and expressed curiosity in returning to Light-weight, concentrating on a match up with champion Islam Makhachev.

Ilia Topuria says he’d be all the way down to battle Islam Makhachev

“[Islam] is a superb fighter. Generally he talks an excessive amount of… however we are able to all the time resolve it within the octagon.

Not within the streets as a result of I am going to should pay for his medical payments.”

(h/t @MMAPROSPICK) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/ykaLQOY3Q0

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 3, 2024

“The reality is that after all I do,” Topuria responded when requested if he thinks about combating Makhachev. “He’s a terrific fighter. Generally he talks an excessive amount of, generally not, however we are able to all the time resolve it within the Octagon. Not on the street as a result of I’ll should pay for his medical payments.”

All instructed, it’s fairly gentle trash speak by Topuria requirements. Makhachev’s workforce mate and undefeated Bellator Light-weight champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, was unimpressed nevertheless. He responded on an Instagram story, questioning “When did you ever battle on the road European boy?”

Topuria responded with questions of his personal about Nurmagomedov’s murky 2023 drug check failure. He replied to Nurmagomedov’s query on X, writing “It has been a very long time, to be sincere. How are you doing with medicine? Are you continue to on steroids?”

As talked about, Holloway is subsequent up for Topuria, as the 2 are scheduled to throw down the upcoming UFC 308 pay-per-view (PPV) occasion on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. If he’s victorious, prime Featherweight contenders like Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev are ready for his or her first shot at UFC gold, and Topuria can be presupposed to battle Alexander Volkanovski a second time. If and when he does bounce again into the Light-weight waters although, Topuria can have loads of choices for opponents.

Insomnia

Conor McGregor doesn’t appear THAT upset about his return battle being regularly delayed.

Oh yeah, we love veteran vs. veteran violence! It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how Damon Jackson fares again at 155 kilos as properly.

Daniel Cormier is simply asking to get kicked within the calf once more.

It goes with out saying, however … a grasp at his craft.

What sort of actuality courting nonsense has Payton Talbott gotten himself into? I sit up for not watching however posting some clips on this column!

Dangle it within the Louvre.

Merab vs. Umar Nurmagomedov is clearly subsequent, however does the challenger actually get to dictate when the battle takes place? Eh.

Hey Merab you realize that Ramadan is in March and realizing this you insist on March, in February the match will probably be held in Australia and so they will not put us there.There’s a match in Los Angeles in January – let’s battle there, and there’s sufficient time to organize.Cease…

— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) October 2, 2024