Islam Makhachev's dominant victory at UFC 322 has sparked renewed interest in a potential superfight with Ilia Topuria. Makhachev captured belts in two divisions with a win over Jack Della Maddalena, showcasing his grappling prowess and control. However, Topuria's reaction to Makhachev's performance was far from complimentary, adding fuel to the fire for a future showdown.
Islam Makhachev's recent victory has intensified the discussion around a potential fight with Ilia Topuria.
Makhachev's Dominance at UFC 322
Makhachev's victory over Della Maddalena was a masterclass in control and striking. He out-landed Della Maddalena 140 to 30 in total strikes and secured an impressive 19:10 of control time. This win also tied him with Anderson Silva for the most consecutive wins in UFC history (16).
Topuria's Reaction and Callout
Despite Makhachev's impressive performance, Ilia Topuria was not impressed. Topuria criticized Della Maddalena's wrestling skills and labeled Makhachev as "the most boring thing in this game." He suggested that Makhachev needs something that can’t be trained: emotion.
Ilia Topuria remains a significant potential fight for Makhachev.
Read also: Record Ilia Topuria Sale
Potential Weight Issues
Topuria remains one of the biggest potential fights available in the sport today. However, if Makhachev elects to stay at 170 pounds, it may be a weight jump too large for Topuria to make. This could be a significant hurdle in making the fight a reality.
Peer Reactions
Makhachev's UFC peers reacted to his dominance of Della Maddalena with much more complimentary comments than Topuria.
"Can Ilia CATCH Islam?!" Alex Volkanovski PREDICTS Topuria vs Makhachev SUPERFIGHT!
Analysis of Khabib's Comments
Daniel Cormier discussed Khabib Nurmagomedov's recent comments on why he believes Arman Tsarukyan is the best lightweight in the World, despite the champion title belonging to Ilia Topuria. DC breaks down the Khabib analysis, and goes in on why despite the accurate breakdown, this fight is much more even between Arman and Ilia. Plus, Cormier gets into Islam Makhachev being asked about the Ilia Topuria fight, and why his answer to the fan's question means it's only a matter of time before we get this superfight!
Key Statistics from UFC 322
| Statistic | Islam Makhachev | Jack Della Maddalena |
|---|---|---|
| Total Strikes Landed | 140 | 30 |
| Control Time | 19:10 | 0:00 |
Read also: The Story of Ilia Topuria
Read also: The Sound of Topuria's Entrance