Islam Makhachev sees tougher challenges at welterweight than Ilia Topuria.
UFC lightweight champion Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) continues to call out welterweight Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC), and is still willing to move up a weight class to face him.
Advertisement
Makhachev has a plethora of top contenders vying for their shot, and thinks undefeated Michael Morales (19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is a bigger threat on the feet than Topuria. Morales is coming off a first-round TKO of Sean Brady at UFC 322 – the same night Makhachev dominated Jack Della Maddalena to claim the title.
“I think Morales is way more dangerous as a puncher,” Makhachev said in a translated interview with Ushatayka. “He puts people to sleep with damn near every shot he lands. If you stand there and take shots, every one of them is dangerous.
“But I don’t see Topuria being as dangerous at 170 as he is at 155 because the size is different, different weight, different height. It will be much easier for welterweights to fight Topuria. I don’t see any danger from Topuria if he comes up to 170.”
Makhachev clarifies that if he was offered Topuria for his first title defense, he’d happily accept.
Advertisement
“I’m all for this fight,” Makhachev said of Topuria. “It would be a big show – the fans would be interested. In terms of media, this would be a massive fight.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Islam Makhachev: Ilia Topuria not as dangerous at welterweight
