Ilia Topuria claims he will be the “first to submit to Islam Makhachev” as he sets his sights on becoming a three-division UFC champion

Ilia Topuria on moving up to 155 pounds and challenging Islam Makhachev

Undefeated champion Ilia Topuria spoke to the media ahead of his upcoming featherweight title fight with Max Holloway and claimed that he is trying to refrain from making demands on the promotion.

“I used to make more predictions about wanting to fight this or that, but at the end of the day I want to do my job, which is to show up and fight – we’ll see what the UFC wants me to do.” [next].”

That being said, Topuria still has his own ambitions to become champion, and should we hear “And Still” at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi this weekend, he’ll already have his eyes set on the dominant king just one division above him .

“If they call me and want me to move up to the lightweight division, I’m okay with that; Step up and be the first to submit Islam Makhachev… If they want me to continue defending this belt at featherweight, I’m fine with that too, so we’ll leave that decision to the UFC.”

In an interview with ABC Spain earlier this week, Topuria also claimed that he knows exactly how to beat Makhachev due to his lifetime of experience competing against Dagestan wrestlers.

“For Islam, I represent a style that he knows would beat him… When I was little, I took part in Greco-Roman wrestling championships and shared many championships with many Dagestanis.

“I know how their thought process works, I know their technical level, their strength, I know what bothers them and what doesn’t, I know them very well… So even if it seems very difficult to fight, I would suffer Islam very much let, [maybe] too much.”

Ilia Topuria reveals that the “ultimate goal” is to become champions in three divisions

Imagine if Topuria defeated Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Islam Makhachev in succession and the star power would come from such a stunning “El Matador” threesome.

But even if everything goes according to plan, Champion-Champ status won’t be enough for Topuria; who has also hinted that he is willing to weigh up to 170 pounds to fight for welterweight gold.

During a conversation with TNT Sports’ Adam Catterall, Topuria was asked where he wanted to be in three years: “Probably a three-weight world champion,” he calmly predicted, adding, “That’s my goal.”

“That’s not how you’re going to see me at welterweight, thinner, you’re going to see me [quite] Different, but yeah, that’s the goal…Move up to lightweight, get the belt and then move up to welterweight.”

UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway takes place this weekend, October 26, in Abu Dhabi.

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