Following claims from unbeaten featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria that he would change into the primary fighter to submit undisputed light-weight kingpin, Islam Makhachev, the Russian’s coach has challenged the previous to first come to Dagestan and show his grappling prowess.
Topuria, the present undisputed featherweight champion below the banner of the UFC, most not too long ago defended his crown for the primary time simply final month, touchdown a brutal third spherical win over former champion and symbolic BMF champion, Max Holloway with a devastating knockout in Abu Dhabi.
As for Makhachev, the pound-for-pound primary ranked fighter on the promotion’s books, has been sidelined since June, most not too long ago defending the 155lbs crown for the third time since his ascension with a spectacular fifth spherical D’Arce choke submission win over Dustin Poirier.
And linked with a return as quickly as January, Makhachev has been closely linked with a UFC 311 headliner in California towards surging contender, Arman Tsarukyan in an undisputed title rematch conflict.
Nonetheless, off the again of his win over Holloway, Georgian-Spaniard, Ilia Topuria welcomed the prospect to compete for a second crown within the type of a grudge match with Makhachev.
Javier Mendez challenges Ilia Topuria over submission declare of Islam Makhachev
And off the again of claims he could be the primary to submit Makhachev, Ilia Topuria has been urged to first journey to Dagestan and tackle fighters over there by the light-weight champion’s coach, Javier Mendez.
“To be the primary one to submit Islam is an enormous factor to throw on the market,” Mendez instructed Crimson Nook MMA. “Let’s see if the combat occurs first… His coach mentioned that he submits all people and beats all people at every thing. Possibly [Topuria] is that assured due to what he does over there. However what’s the standard of opponents he’s doing it to? I don’t know that.”
“You come to Dagestan, and [if] you’re submitting all people there, then we will speak,” Mendez defined. “However in the event you’re doing it at dwelling, you’re not doing it with the beasts which can be in Abdulmanap’s fitness center… The one particular person I’ve seen do something to Islam is Khabib [Nurmagomedov].”