Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) vacated his featherweight title for a move up to 155 pounds. Makhachev previously stated that a fight with “another featherweight” in Topuria doesn’t interest him, and his manager Rizvan Magomedov wants to see “El Matador” in a title eliminator.

Ireland's McGregor is still the biggest star MMA has known, and the support of his home country helped vault him to superstardom early in his UFC run. Holding roots in Georgia and Spain, Topuria has been touted as the most likely talent to get close to a McGregor-type appeal as an international MMA star.

MMA fans have given their thoughts on Islam Makhachev's cryptic message regarding a possible Ilia Topuria fight.

Former featherweight champion Aljamain Sterling gave his breakdown of a potential fight between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev.

Ilia Topuria's manager, Malki Kawa, recently spoke to renowned combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani about his client's recent move to the UFC lightweight division.

A UFC veteran backs Islam Makhachev’s take on Ilia Topuria, agreeing with his assessment: “He’s got a great point.”

Ilia Topuria has teased a massive announcement imminently, with fans speculating he's landed a UFC super fight with Islam Makhachev.

Javier Mendez says Islam Makhachev welcomes all challengers, and that includes UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria.

A UFC lightweight star questions Islam Makhachev’s middleweight aspirations and Ilia Topuria’s ambitions to move up in the division.

Makhachev is the bigger fighter and cut significant weight to make the 155-pound limit. Topuria will also cut weight to make 155, but he will have a much easier process. Size matters much more in the UFC than in boxing, as the sport’s wrestling component is massive.

With UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) looking for fresh blood, Gaethje thinks he can jump into the title opportunity with an impressive showing against Fiziev. Gaethje edged out Fiziev by majority decision at UFC 286.

Khabib Nurmagomedov suggests submission artist Charles Oliveira would be a fair fight for Ilia Topuria, favoring the featherweight champ in his lightweight debut. "If you move up and he beat somebody like Charles, of course [title shot]. I think Ilia can beat [Oliveira]," Nurmagomedov said.