UFC legend points to main reason for Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria fight to happen.

Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev are big names in the UFC. Photo: SUPER LUTAS montage.

PUBLICITY:

Chael Sonnen believes this is the ideal moment for the super fight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria to finally happen in the UFC octagon. According to the American, the recent movements in the lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) and welterweight (up to 77 kg) divisions, led by the Russian and the Spaniard respectively, have placed the two champions in front of something truly significant: a direct dispute for the top of the pound-for-pound rankings.

UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen stated on his YouTube channel that the current scenario has created a legitimate rivalry between Makhachev and Topuria. However, in the view of the former Anderson Silva challenger , both seem to have chosen not to settle their differences in the cage.

“Something was taken from Ilia (Topuria), even without defeat. And this is the first time there’s a real reason for Islam (Makhachev) and him to fight. But they collectively chose not to fight,” Chael Sonnen said on his YouTube channel.

See too

Vinicius Lokdog points out the inconsistency of the fans and challenges Poatan after the champion's 'controversial training'.

Chael Sonnen questions controversial training video of Brazilian UFC prospect: 'Terrible'

Chael Sonnen 's question has context. In June 2025, Ilia Topuria moved up to lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) and won the vacant belt by knocking out Charles Oliveira in the first round of UFC 317 in Las Vegas (USA).

The victory yielded more than just the gold medal. Georgian-Spanish wrestler Ilia Topuria took over the top pound-for-pound ranking , ending Islam Makhachev 's 602-day dominance.

The throne, however, quickly returned to Islam Makhachev . In November 2025, the Dagestani fighter defeated Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title (up to 77 kg) at UFC 322 in New York (USA).

In the next pound-for-pound ranking update, Makhachev was back as number one, even though Topuria hadn't suffered another career setback.

Ilia Topuria wants a fight against Islam Makhachev for the pound-for-pound title.

Ilia Topuria has announced that she will only return to fighting after the first quarter of 2026. Upon her return, her goal is to face the winner of the main event at UFC 324 in January to unify the lightweight titles.

As part of his plans, Topuria revealed in a conversation with journalist Álvaro Colmenero on X, formerly Twitter, his desire to duel against Islam Makhachev and that this confrontation could gain a status never seen before in the sport.

“Maybe I’ll have one more fight and, in the summer, there will be a date when the UFC can let me move up to welterweight. Or maybe they’ll create a new belt called pound-for-pound, at a catchweight, and I’ll fight for it,” Ilia Topuria told journalist Álvaro Colmenero.

Ilia Topuria wants to fight Islam Makhachev for a “pound-for-pound” title at a catchweight

“Maybe I'll have one more fight, and then in the summer there's a date when [the UFC] can let me move up to welterweight.

Or maybe they'll create a new belt called the… pic.twitter.com/oiLb3yLKtn

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 24, 2025

Exclusive: Michael PQD talks about his brutal UFC debut victory.