Home / Sports / Makhachev Mulls Topuria Showdown: UFC's P4P Shakeup Sparks Intrigue
Makhachev Mulls Topuria Showdown: UFC's P4P Shakeup Sparks Intrigue
29 Jul
Summary
- Makhachev open to fighting Topuria for P4P status
- Cormier wonders if Makhachev sees Topuria as another Conor McGregor
- Sonnen argues Topuria should be a 3-belt champion

In a recent development, UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has indicated his willingness to fight Ilia Topuria for the UFC's pound-for-pound (P4P) king status. This comes after Topuria overtook Makhachev in the UFC's official P4P rankings, a move that has sparked intrigue in the MMA community.
Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier weighed in on the potential matchup, expressing concern that Makhachev may be hesitant to fight Topuria due to the Georgian-Spanish fighter's similarities to Conor McGregor. Cormier noted that Makhachev's camp, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, had a "dark place" when dealing with McGregor's antics in the past.
Meanwhile, MMA analyst Chael Sonnen argued that Topuria should already be considered a 3-belt champion, as he is the reigning titleholder at featherweight and lightweight, as well as the BMF champion. Sonnen pointed out that Topuria's lack of an official title is merely a "clerical" issue, and that he has a stronger claim to the P4P throne than the inactive Makhachev.
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The potential showdown between Makhachev and Topuria has generated significant buzz in the MMA world, with fans eager to see the two elite lightweights clash for the coveted P4P status.