Introduction

In the world of mixed martial arts, speculation runs rampant, but former champion Henry Cejudo has thrown some intriguing insights into the potential matchup between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. According to Cejudo, Khabib Nurmagomedov could be the influential figure keeping this highly anticipated bout from happening anytime soon.

Ilia Topuria's Move to Lightweight

Earlier this year, Ilia Topuria made headlines by announcing his plans to vacate the featherweight title, aiming to climb the ranks at lightweight for an opportunity at a second championship. Naturally, fans erupted with excitement at the prospect of Topuria moving up to face Makhachev, but the reigning champion’s lukewarm response has left many wondering what the hold-up is.

Khabib's Role in the Decision

Cejudo revealed that Khabib, who has been a guiding force in Makhachev's career, thinks it may be unfair for Topuria to leap straight to a title shot without first proving himself against the division's top contenders. "I remember talking to Khabib, and he said it’s not fair for Ilia to skip the line. Islam’s been chasing the title and defending it valiantly," Cejudo told MMA Junkie. He emphasized that it is unlikely Makhachev will get a say in the decision-making process, as Khabib is expected to advocate for Makhachev to face established contenders first.

Makhachev's Title Defenses

There’s a reason Khabib is so protective of Makhachev’s title reign—Makhachev recently established himself as the longest-reigning champion in UFC history and shattered the record for most lightweight title defenses following his win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311. Critics may argue that two of those defenses were against former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, which is why Makhachev is reluctant to fight another featherweight before Topuria earns his stripes at lightweight.

Potential Matchups for Topuria

Cejudo went on to suggest an exciting matchup that could serve as an opportunity for Topuria to spotlight his readiness for a title shot. "I think they could set up Ilia against Dustin Poirier in Louisiana," he speculated. "If I’m reading the room correctly, Charles Oliveira has expressed hesitance to fight Topuria now, wanting to do so only when he’s the champ. That leaves Topuria in a precarious position, and the UFC isn’t known for waiting around for fighters to make up their minds."

Conclusion

The clock is ticking as fans await a decision from the UFC on Topuria's next move, and while there’s no denying the buzzing anticipation for a Makhachev vs. Topuria clash, the path may be riddled with negotiations and opponents yet to be confirmed. Can Khabib’s influence steer Makhachev to defend his title against the most deserving challengers, or will Topuria's rise be relentless? As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain glued to the lightweight division, hoping for the electrifying matchups that fans crave. Stay tuned for more updates!