Las Vegas, May 5, 2025, 5:12 PM +07 – UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier has unleashed a fiery tirade, slamming Ilia Topuria’s bold demands for a lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev, calling the featherweight champion’s claims “outrageous” and “unearned.” The explosive comments, made during a heated segment on ESPN MMA Live on Monday, have ignited a fierce debate in the MMA community, putting Topuria’s aspirations under intense scrutiny.

Cormier’s Scathing Critique

Cormier, a former two-division champion, didn’t hold back as he addressed Topuria’s recent push to move up to 155 pounds and challenge Makhachev, the reigning lightweight king. “Ilia Topuria thinks he can just waltz into the lightweight division and demand a title shot? That’s outrageous!” Cormier roared. “Islam’s defended that belt four times—he’s the best 155er on the planet. Topuria’s got no business jumping the line after one featherweight reign. He needs to earn it, not beg for it!” The veteran analyst’s words reflect a growing sentiment among some fans and fighters that Topuria’s rapid rise, while impressive, doesn’t justify bypassing established contenders like Dustin Poirier or Charles Oliveira.

Topuria, who claimed the featherweight title with a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024 and defended it against Movsar Evloev in December 2024, has been vocal about his desire to conquer multiple divisions. His recent callout of Makhachev, amplified by posts found on X, suggested a superfight could unify pound-for-pound narratives. However, Cormier’s rebuttal underscores Makhachev’s dominance—14 straight wins, including victories over Poirier and Oliveira—contrasting it with Topuria’s limited lightweight experience.

A Clash of Legacies

The tension traces back to Makhachev’s own reluctance to face Topuria, as he stated in April 2025, “I don’t want to fight Ilia because he’s a featherweight—I’ve already done that.” Posts found on X show Cormier defending this stance, arguing that Makhachev shouldn’t be forced into a fight that doesn’t align with his division’s hierarchy. Topuria, undeterred, has countered by highlighting his knockout power and claiming he’d “end Makhachev’s reign,” a bravado Cormier dismissed as “hype without substance.”

The MMA community is split, with some fans on X praising Topuria’s ambition, while others echo Cormier’s call for meritocracy. The debate has been fueled by Makhachev’s recent comments about seeking new challenges, potentially at welterweight, which Cormier used to argue against Topuria’s demands, saying, “Islam’s moving up—why should he waste time on a 145er who hasn’t proven himself at 155?”

What’s Next for the Divisions?

Cormier’s outburst has intensified speculation about the UFC’s next moves. With Makhachev eyeing a welterweight run and Topuria defending his featherweight belt against Diego Lopes on June 28 at UFC 317, a lightweight title defense seems imminent. Cormier proposed a contender like Justin Gaethje or Arman Tsarukyan as more deserving, aligning with earlier suggestions he made in March 2025 for a structured path to the title.

As the MMA world digests Cormier’s fiery stance, all eyes are on UFC president Dana White, who has yet to comment but is known for capitalizing on big matchups. Whether Topuria’s title shot demands gain traction or fade under Cormier’s criticism remains uncertain, but the clash of opinions has undoubtedly added spice to an already heated lightweight landscape.