Henry Cejudo thinks Khabib Nurmagomedov could be the man standing in the way of an Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria superfight.
Earlier this year, Topuria announced plans to vacate the featherweight title, stating his intention to move up to 155 pounds and pursue a second belt. Fans immediately speculated whether Topuria would get an immediate title shot, with Topuria adding to the speculation by saying he has been promised one. However, Makhachev seems cool on the idea, and Cejudo believes he knows why.
“I remember talking to Khabib, and Khabib said it’s not fair for Ilia to skip the line and go after the title shot with Islam because that’s all Islam’s been doing,” Cejudo told MMA Junkie. “He gave [Alexander] Volkanovski a couple title [shots] where he has gone up. So I don’t even think it’s going to be Islam’s choice. I think Khabib is going to step in and be like, ‘He needs to fight the No. 1 contender.’
“Khabib said if Ilia does beat a No. 1 contender then sure, we’ll do that. So I personally think that Islam will fight anybody, anytime, anywhere. There’s a quote on him at the PI that says that, but I think that the person that’s more likely going to play backup is going to be Khabib Nurmagomedov. He’s going to say no, so for that reason, I am guessing it’s going to be Justin Gaethje vs. Islam Makhachev, International Fight Week.”
Makhachev is currently the longest-reigning champion in the UFC, and in January broke the record for most lightweight title defenses with his defeat of Renato Moicano at UFC 311. However, the one knock on Makhachev’s title reign is that two of his defenses came against then-featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, which is why Makhachev says he’s not interested in fighting another featherweight and wants Topuria to beat somebody at lightweight first. And Cejudo has just the opponent.
“I also feel like what could happen, they could probably give Ilia Dustin Poirier in Louisiana,” Cejudo said. “Whatever that may be. Because I’m thinking Charles [Oliveira] doesn’t want to fight Ilia Topuria, he says ‘I’ll fight him when I’m champ.’ So, I don’t know how much pull he has there, but if a fighter is saying he won’t fight somebody for that title shot because he did already get that opportunity and he lost, he doesn’t have leverage. The UFC will just shelve you. They will definitely shelf you, so I can see Ilia Topuria vs. Dustin Poirier.”
“Dustin Poirier did say he’s only fighting legends in his retirement fight, and Ilia Topuria just changed his name to ‘Legend.’”
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