Demetrious Johnson sees a tough road ahead for Ilia Topuria.
Topuria, the UFC featherweight champion, is set to make a move up to 155 pounds shortly, with a plan to challenge lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Recently, Topuria claimed officials have promised him an immediate title shot, though nothing has been announced by the promotion for Topuria nor Makhachev’s next bouts.
In an interview with Submission Radio, Johnson shared his opinion on how the 155-pound title picture could shake out with Makhachev also having the option to chase a second title of his own depending on how the May 10 UFC 315 main event between welterweight champion Belal Muhammad—a friend and training partner of Makhachev’s—and Jack Della Maddalena goes.
“I would put Islam Makhachev on ice and see what happens in this 170-pound division with Jack Della Maddalena vs. Belal Muhammad,” Johnson said. “If Jack is able to get past Belal Muhammad, I think you give Islam Makhachev the opportunity to go up to be double champ. I know Dana White said he doesn’t want to have to do this again, but when you look at the 155-pound division, Islam has pretty much cleared that out and he’s waiting for a new contender.
“You have the fight against Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, you also have the newcomer Ilia Topuria. So I would like to see Islam get the opportunity to fight for that 170-pound belt. Let’s say Belal Muhammad keeps it, beats Jack Della Maddalena, then I think you can do the rematch between Charles vs. Islam and have Arman Tsarukyan fight Ilia Topuria. You also still have Dustin Poirier there, Max Holloway’s there now, you have Paddy Pimblett.”
Makhachev was supposed to defend his title against Tsarukyan at UFC 311 this past January, but Tsarukyan pulled out of the contest with a back injury a day before fight night. Instead, Makhachev went on to defeat short-notice replacement Renato Moicano by first-round submission.
UFC CEO Dana White said Tsarukyan likely has to earn his shot again, which makes sense to Johnson, who believes this could work perfectly with Topuria possibly having to face a lightweight contender first before booking a matchup with Makhachev.
“There’s so many different fights you can make in the 155-pound division, but I think the biggest thing that’s on the radar right now is Ilia Topuria coming to 155, changing his name to “The Legend,” and I would like to see him be tested at 155,” Johnson said. “I know a lot of people think he should get an immediate title shot, but I think why not just have him versus Arman Tsarukyan? Run it. That will be a great fight.
“Arman Tsarukyan was the next person to get the title shot, but he got injured and so the UFC said they want to see him prove himself at 155 before he gets that title shot. Here’s a perfect example: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Ilia Topuria, let them run it, and then if you want to keep Islam Makhachev busy, you give him Charles Oliveira or you can give him somebody else they see fit who can fight for the championship.”
Topuria has become famed for his knockout power. When he finished Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 to claim the featherweight title, he became the first fighter ever to defeat Volkanovski in a 145-pound bout. He followed that up with a knockout of Max Holloway, making Topuria the only fighter to put Holloway down via strikes.
“La Leyenda” has often touted his grappling skills as well and Johnson, who has trained with Makhachev’s team, was asked if Topuria could outwork Makhachev on the mat if it came down to it.
“We haven’t really seen Ilia off his back or submitting people, but I know he’s a really good wrestler, he has some good grappling,” Topuria said. “We haven’t seen Ilia put people on their back, pass their guard. I mean, he does pass guard, but he tends to go about his fights by knocking people out and I believe that’s what he’s going to try to do when he fights Islam.
“Where Islam has proven this time and time again of submitting the best of the best, black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu who have submitted other people in the division. So I think that is not going to be the route that Ilia Topuria goes when he fights Islam Makhachev, but you never know. We’ll have to wait and see to see when those guys link up, to see what route Ilia Topuria tries to take to beat Islam Makhachev.”
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